On Saturday, Azim (15-0, 12 KOs) produced an outstanding display to dismantle former world title challenger Steve Claggett inside three rounds.

The impressive win moved Azim a step closer to a world title shot.

In January, Sheffield’s Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) reached the top of the mountain when he traveled to New York and stopped Subriel Matias in five rounds to win the WBC title.

A fight between the two is inevitable and gets bigger every time either steps into the ring.

“Let me get a belt first, then we can talk about Dalton Smith. ... I'll fight him tomorrow if I have to. My trainer, Shane [McGuigan], believes in me. That's all I need,” Azim said in the ring after taking apart Claggett.

McGuigan has trained a number of top-level world champions, including Josh Taylor, Carl Frampton, Ellie Scotney and Chris Billam-Smith, but has said that Azim is the most naturally talented.

He believes the 23-year-old will go on to create a real legacy.

“I'd be doing something terribly wrong if he didn't win the world title,” McGuigan said. “I don't just think he's going to win the world title; I think he's going to be unified and a multi-weight world champion. There’s a very select few.

“Especially around 140, 147 pounds, when you go to America you get found out because all the best fighters are over there. This guy is going to be coming back winning world titles.”

Azim is ranked at No. 7 by the IBF and WBO and at No. 9 by the WBC. After the fight he called for a shot at the IBF belt.

Ben Shalom, Boxxer CEO, is responsible for getting Azim into position. He has promoted him since the early stages of his career.

Although fans have wanted to see Azim thrown in to big fights, he has been matched with older experienced names such as Claggett, Ohara Davies and Sergei Lipinets. The progress has been slow but steady, and Azim looks to have developed perfectly. Shalom believes that he is ready to prove himself at the highest level.

Just last week, the IBF ordered Mexico’s Lindolfo Delgado and dangerous Russian-Canadian Arthur Biyarslanov to fight for its vacant 140-pound title.

Shalom will work out a way for Azim to get a shot at the winner.

“That was ridiculous, the way he just pieced Steve Claggett up,” Shalom said. “He has been stopped before — very early on in his career — but he doesn't get stopped, Steve Claggett. The way he did that was phenomenal. He beats every fighter in the 140 division.

“It has to be the world title next. He's an absolute superstar and a credit to the sport but that was phenomenal.”