BOXXER and Sky Sports throw British boxing’s last premier punch of the year in Bournemouth on Saturday night with a cracking main event featuring two Brits from opposing corners in their careers.
Both the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles will be on the line when rising and undefeated Dan Azeez takes on former super-middleweight champion Rocky Fielding.
Unbeaten 33-year-old Londoner Azeez is 17-0 with 11 knockouts. But the former Southern Area and English champion is yet to test himself above domestic level.
His biggest win came last time out when he superbly outboxed Birmingham’s Shakan Pitters in September, defending the Lonsdale Belt.
Back in the ring after a brief retirement in 2020, 35-year-old Fielding has a 30-2 record and already reached the pinnacle of the sport.
In 2018, he headlined Madison Square Garden in New York against pay-per-view star Canelo Alvarez, when he was the defending WBA champion.
🗓 ON THIS DAY in 2018…
💥 Rocky Fielding came up against greatness when falling short against Canelo Alvarez at MSG.
Can he become a two-weight British champion this weekend against Dan Azeez? 🤔
🎬 @SkySportsBoxing #Boxing #AzeezFielding pic.twitter.com/gJnWltf6P4
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) December 15, 2022
And although he lasted just three rounds, Fielding earned enough money to last a lifetime. Which begs the question, why he’s back inside the ropes?
A former British and Commonwealth champion at 12-stone, the now Dubai-based Scouser went to Germany in 2018 and dethroned unbeaten German Tyron Zeuge to claim a lesser version of a world title.
His other career defeat also came against another established champion, when he got caught early in a high-profile Merseyside derby against future Ring magazine world #1 super-middle Callum Smith in 2015.
His 12-year 32-fight career features 18 finishes, 12 inside the first two rounds. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, it’ll be Fielding with all of the natural advantages once the bell goes on the south coast.
Despite being the defending champion, however, Azeez will feel like the hunter rather than the hunted. He only turned pro five years ago and only stepped up to mainstream televised fight cards in his last fight.
And Still! @dan_azeez successfully defended his British title in Liverpool 🇬🇧 👑
Next up, a career-toughest test in @Rocky87Fielding 😤#FightNightBournemouth2 | 17.12.22 | BIC | @SkySportsBoxing pic.twitter.com/zpwxVTcch7
— BOXXER (@boxxer) December 15, 2022
So far, he’s not put a foot wrong in the ring, but Fielding represents a real step up in class for the Essex University Accountancy graduate.
But, Azeez’s fighting aspirations are as yet unfulfilled. Whereas Fielding has made good money, owned shiny belts and achieved more than most pro’s – Azeez included – can dream of.
And that is makes this contest so intriguing.
What has Fielding returned to the ring for? Is his thirst for success and legacy as strong as it once was? Or has he returned more due to boredom and familiarity than motivation?
One thing is for sure, Azeez has the power and inclination to force answers to all those questions when the bell goes.
Don’t blink. Someone’s getting knocked out, and it’ll be early too.
TIP: Knockout, Rounds 1-4
