Large gaps were visible around the arena during the undercard. The crowd gradually filled out as the evening progressed, although there were still plenty of empty seats by the time of the main event.
But those in attendance made their voices heard when Azim – sporting a black fedora with white-trimmed brim – walked to the ring to Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It.’
Azim made a sharp start and drew blood from Claggett’s nose with an uppercut in the opening minutes.
Claggett, 36, brought vast experience. He had been stopped only once as a professional and went the distance with Teofimo Lopez in a world-title challenge in 2023.
But he had no answer for Azim’s relentless power. The Slough fighter landed a right that stunned Claggett and a right hook that dropped him heavily.
The away fighter beat the count but looked a beaten man as he gingerly made his way back to his corner.
Azim sensed his opportunity and piled on the pressure. With Claggett offering little resistance and absorbing a succession of clean shots, referee Marcus McDonnell stepped in.
Although Azim did not quite pull off his trademark backflip celebration, it was otherwise a near-perfect night for ‘The Assassin’.
His team have carefully manoeuvred him towards a shot at the vacant IBF light-welterweight title. The IBF has ordered Mexico’s Lindolfo Delgado to face Russian-Canadian Arthur Biyarslanov for the belt, and Azim could be well placed to face the winner.
Further down the line, Azim has also long been linked with a domestic showdown against fellow Briton Dalton Smith.
“I’d be doing something terribly wrong if he doesn’t win a world title,” trainer Shane McGuigan said.
“I don’t just think he is going to win a world title, I think he will be unified and a multi-weight world champion.”
