Adam Azim set for December 4 IBF eliminator against Gabriel Valenzuela

Adam Azim is set to face Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela at London's Copper Box Arena on December 4, according to BBC Sport. The British light-welterweight's next bout is expected to serve as an IBF title eliminator, putting the winner in line for a world championship opportunity in early 2027 rather than awarding the belt on the night.

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The Ring's Declan Taylor reported that the contest would be scheduled for 12 rounds and headline a Boxxer-promoted show. Azim is fourth in the IBF rankings, with Valenzuela sixth. The Ring said the winner would be seeking a chance to contest the vacant championship during the first half of next year.

Azim, 24, has won all 15 of his professional bouts, with 12 victories coming by stoppage. BBC Sport reported that his most recent appearance ended in a third-round win over Steve Claggett at Wembley Arena in May, in a fight broadcast live on BBC Two. He began his professional career in 2020 and has stopped his last six opponents.

Mexico's Valenzuela brings a record of 32 wins, five defeats and one draw. The 32-year-old has recorded 18 stoppage victories, including a knockout in his last outing in May, according to BBC Sport. He has already contested two world-title eliminators, losing to Subriel Matias and Lindolfo Delgado during 2025.

The wider IBF title schedule remains unsettled. The Ring reported that Delgado and Arthur Biyarslanov had been due to meet for the vacant belt in Riyadh on Saturday, on the Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli undercard. That fight is off after Delgado did not travel to the Saudi capital. Whether the contest will be rearranged was still unclear in the report.

Azim's recent run also includes stoppage wins over Kurt Scoby, Sergey Lipinets, Ohara Davies, Enock Poulsen and Franck Petitjean, The Ring noted. Valenzuela's May victory came against Rogelio Laguna. The reported December matchup therefore brings together two fighters coming off stoppage wins, with an eliminator now on their schedules.