UK schedule update: Kelly gets new opponent, Azim joins Buatsi vs Azeez
Josh Kelly fights Placido Ramirez, while Adam Azim meets Enock Paulsen
Both Wasserman Boxing and BOXXER sent out press releases today with updates to their upcoming schedules. Neither of them felt like they justified an article on their own, so I’m slapping them together. Freelance writing is more art than science.
From the former comes word that Josh Kelly (14-1-1, 7 KO), previously slated to face Roarke Knapp in a sneaky good fight a week from this coming Saturday, will instead fight Unheralded Colombian Puncher (tm) Placido Ramirez (24-3, 17 KO) after Knapp withdrew due to injury. Ramirez is natural 140-pounder who’s coming off a No Contest because, and I am quoting BoxRec directly here, “[f]ans entered the ring and hit Ramirez.”
The card’s other major fight, an IBF middleweight eliminator pitting Denis Radovan against Andrei Mikhailovich, is also off after the former suffered a “muscle injury.” Instead, Tom Welland, Dan Toward, and recovering amateur standout Tursynbay Kulakhmet join the card on short notice.
From BOXXER comes word that top super lightweight prospect Adam Azim (10-0, 7 KO) will make his inaugural European title defense against Enock Poulsen (14-0, 5 KO) on their February 3rd Joshua Buatsi vs Dan Azeez show. Poulsen’s never fought outside of Denmark, but he does have a couple of decent Euro-level wins over Michal Syrowatka and recent Azim victim Franck Petitjean. Seems like a solid next fight for the 21-year-old.
Azim said: “I’m looking forward to defending my European Title on a big show. Enock Poulsen is a good opponent but I’m levels above him and I’m going to show that on February 3rd. He hasn’t faced anyone like me before.”
Poulsen said: “This title is mine and right now he’s only borrowing it. I will take it back and I will beat Azim in his own hometown. Azim has never faced a good opponent, yet he’s very hyped in the UK. In this fight against me, I’m sure he will lose. I want to be on the big stage. I want to prove to everyone that I’m the real EBU Champion. To win would mean everything.”