The junior welterweight contenders will meet over 12 rounds in an IBF eliminator in the main event of a Boxxer-promoted show.

Ring No. 5 Azim (15-0, 12 KOs) is ranked No. 4 with the IBF while Valenzuela (32-5-1, 18 KOs) sits at No. 6. The winner in London will hope to fight for the vacant belt in the first half of 2027.

IBF No. 1-rated contender Lindolfo Delgado and No. 3 Arthur Biyarslanov were due to fight for the title this Saturday in Riyadh on the Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli undercard.

However, Delgado has not traveled to the Saudi capital so their bout is now off. Whether or not that showdown is rescheduled remains unclear but Azim and Valenzuela know whoever wins their December 4 meeting will be perfectly placed for a title shot regardless.

Undefeated former European champion Azim is in fine form, having won his last six fights by knockout. His last outing at London's Wembley Arena on May 30 came against former world title challenger Steve Claggett, who was stopped in the third.

Before that, he reeled off wins over Kurt Scoby, Sergey Lipinets, Ohara Davies, Enock Poulsen and Franck Petitjean inside the distance.

Mexico's Valenzuela lost two world title eliminators against Subriel Matias and Delgado in 2025, but returned to winning ways by stopping Rogelio Laguna in May. An upset victory over the fast-rising Azim would put the 32-year-old contender right back in contention.

Azim has long been linked with WBC champion Dalton Smith, who successfully defended his title via split decision against Alberto Puello on Saturday night. A win over Valenzuela would keep him on course for a world title shot and potential money-spinning domestic unification with Smith.