Lewisham’s Dan Azeez could be next opponent for WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol
Dmitry Bivol’s promoter has namechecked South London’s Dan Azeez as a potential opponent for the WBA light-heavyweight world champion.
The 32-year-old Russian is 21-0 in the professional ranks and has a points win over Mexican ring great Canelo Alvarez.
Lewisham’s Azeez, 33, is the European champion and also has a perfect record (19-0).
Azeez halted Thomas Faure in the 12th round in Paris in March to win the EBU belt.
Bivol is promoted by Matchroom Boxing. Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn told iFL TV: “He (Bivol) wants to fight the winner of (Callum) Smith-(Artur) Beterbiev but I feel like that fight is in August and I think you’ll see him fight in August or early September.
“I’d like him to fight a Brit – I’d like him to fight Anthony Yarde or Dan Azeez.
“I think Dan Azeez is a free agent, as I understand. So we might be making him an offer, to fight Dmitry Bivol. It’s a great story – he has built himself up [as] British, Commonwealth and European champion.
“If we’re looking at a British name for Dmitry Bivol, it is going to be Azeez or Yarde next.”
PICTURE: LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER