SLOUGH boxing sensation Adam Azim is on course to defend his England Boxing National Junior Championship title after beating Patriece Mughalazi on Sunday.

Azim, 15, stopped Mughalazi midway through the second round in the Junior Amateur Boxing Association quarter-finals bout at the Singh Sabha Sports Centre in Slough.

The Pinewood Starr Amateur Boxing Club star told the Observer: “It was a very good win. I didn’t expect to stop him but I did. I thought it was going to be a tough fight but I made it easier for myself.

“I was very confident and never nervous because I wanted it so bad. I was a bit aggressive because I went for the stoppage and I did stop him earlier than I thought I would.

“I was really happy that I actually stopped him and people were surprised to see me stop a three-time national champion.

“I never thought I was going to stop him and thought it was going to go the distance.

“But, I knew I was going to stop in in the first round because I hit him hard and he stumbled a little, so I knew he was hurt.”

Azim will now face Louai Ali in the semi-finals of the Class B 54-57kg category and is gunning for revenge after his defeat to the same opponent last year.

Asian Image:

PHOTO: Kaileb Appleton (red): “I thought I boxed really well, one of the best performances I’ve managed, and thought that I had done enough to win."

He predicted: “I’m trying to defend my belt. It’s going to be tough but I can make it easier for myself if I box to my abilities.

“It’s going to be a different type of fight to last weekend and I will use a completely different set of skills. I feel strong and sharp.

“I fought this guy last year and lost, but it was a real bad decision and there were a few like that on the day.

“I’ve been looking for revenge and been waiting a long time now.”

Kaileb Appleton is another rising star from Slough but was left frustrated after losing to a split decision against George Liddard.

Appleton, 16, explained: “It was a controversial decision. It was split down the room and a lot of people thought that I had won, but that’s boxing for you.

“I thought I boxed really well, one of the best performances I’ve managed, and thought that I had done enough to win.

“It was a very split fight. I had the better of the first and third rounds and he edged the second, but I was on top overall.

Asian Image:

PHOTO: Patrick Doherty (black) lands with a big left hand in his under 52kg bout against Alfie Gaskin (red).

“I was not shouting robbery because that’s the boxing game - some you win and some you do not.”

Commenting on his boxing season, he added: “I’ve done very well. I’ve gone up bill-wise and beat some good kids. I boxed in Denmark in December and won as well.”

Looking ahead to the future, Appleton said: "I just enjoy fighting. I was always getting into trouble at school for beating people up so I thought why not do it in the ring.

"But, if it wasn't for my parents and Ian Bayley I would not be where I am.

“It was a big opportunity for me last weekend, but I will be back fighting in April and am looking to go for a championship next season.

"I want to win a championship and box for England in the European Championships plus I've been signed up onto the England pathway.

"I have proven that I've got the quality for that now, but it's a bit of a struggle to get sponsors and the right food in."

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