Dan Azeez can still win Commonwealth title but opponent Rocky Fielding fails to make light-heavy weight limit

Lewisham’s Dan Azeez can add the Commonwealth light-heavyweight title to the British belt already in his hands but they will no longer be on the line for opponent Rocky Fielding when the pair clash tonight.

Scouser Fielding failed to make the weight limit on Friday and declined to go away and work off his excess.

Azeez is happy to still go ahead with the bout in Bournemouth which headlines tonight’s BOXXER show which will be televised by Sky Sports.

“It doesn’t bother me – the titles are still on the line for me,” Azeez told iFL TV. “I think he struggled to make the weight he came in at and didn’t want to go any further [trying to make it]. I don’t blame him. We’re in a dangerous sport – don’t kill yourself, come in at what you’re comfortable at.

“If we can still make the fight happen, we’ll do that – and we can.

“I could’ve been out in June or July but I went and did camp with [Artur] Beterbiev. BOXXER have stuck to their part of the bargain – I’ve been quite active. I’m happy to end the year with a bang and having a good 2023.”

Buddy McGirt will be Azeez’s head coach for the Fielding clash with the American doing the full training camp. McGirt also trains Brixton heavyweight Dillian Whyte and Azeez’s light-heavyweight rival Callum Smith.

“I’ve heard a couple of comments that he [Fielding] is coming to the end of his career but I don’t believe it one bit,” said Azeez. “He’s definitely taken this fight thinking I’m not on his level. I’m stepping up to a level he’s been at before – he’s trying to show he is still there and I’m not quite there yet.”

PICTURES: LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER