Dan Azeez wants the recognition along with his domestic rivals after becoming the British light heavyweight champion.
Azeez (15-0, 10 KOs) put on a dominant and ruthless performance to halt Hosea Burton (26-3, 12 KOs) in seven rounds at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday night’s BOXXER bill, live on Sky Sports.
The undefeated 32-year-old, forced referee John Latham’s intervention after a brutal seventh round onslaught and now wants to be mentioned alongside the likes of British rivals Lyndon Arthur and Anthony Yarde.
“It’s been a long one [journey], but it’s been worthwhile,” Azeez told reporters following his victory.
“I said from day one, I want to climb the ladder step by step, pick up all the domestic belts.
“I’m the first light heavyweight to clean up domestically and have all the domestic belts so I’m really happy.
“Proper boxing people know who I am, but [with] the casuals my name ain’t being mentioned so hopefully after the night, I can start getting a mention with all these names.
“I just always think you lot don’t know who I am if you’re doubting me or if you think this and that.
“Every time I fight it’s always, ‘yeah it’s a 50-50’ and I go out there and show, no I’m the level above.”
The Londoner, who has previously served as Southern Area and English champion, extended his unbeaten record to 15 straight victories and is ranked at eight with the WBA behind world ‘super’ champion, Dmitry Bivol, however despite this he says he is looking to defend his crown first.
“I don’t know about outright, but I’d definitely like to defend [the title],” Azeez added.
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“Sky’s already talking about maybe January, February, but obviously January might be a bit too early.
“But, February maybe defend it if anyone’s up for fighting me for it.”
Watch Dan Azeez discuss his win over Hosea Burton below:
