Adam Azim was never bothered about the suggestion that is avoiding any foe, domestic level or otherwise.

Nevertheless, his latest assignment can bury any such talk.

The unbeaten junior welterweight is set for his most notable assignment to date as he will face former IBF 140-pound titlist Sergey Lipinets. BOXXER announced that the crossroads bout will headline a Feb. 1 Sky Sports show from OVO Arena Wembley in London, England. The event will also air live on NBC’s Peacock app in the U.S.

“This is a big step up for Adam,” noted BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom. “At just 22 years of age and in his thirteenth fight, he’s going up against a former world champion. Sergey Lipinets is a dangerous fighter. There’s no question about that. He’s an established, world-level boxer with devastating punching power.

“But Adam is a special talent. What we’ve seen from him in the ring and what he is showing in the gym, tells us he’s ready. This is a massive opportunity for him.”

Azim (12-0. 9 knockouts) is coming off his most impressive performance to date. The red-hot 22-year-old contender from Slough, Berkshire, put away countryman Ohara Davies in the eighth round of their Oct. 19 battle at Copper Box Arena in Hackney Wick.

The fight was made after failed attempts for domestic-level fights versus Dalton Smith and Harlem Eubank. Azim rose to the occasion and twice floored Davies, the latter for the full count to register his third straight knockout victory.

The win saw Azim emerge as a rising contender, an upward trajectory he plans to continue in February.

“This fight is another step up for me,” stated Azim. “I’m looking forward to sharing the ring with a great fighter like Sergey Lipinets. He is a former world champion. He has fought some of the biggest names out there. I have a lot of respect for him and what he’s achieved in the sport, but it’s my time now. This is a chance for me to show that I belong at world level and that I’m ready to face the best.

“Lipinets has had a great career but on February 1st, he’s standing in my way. This is the next step of my journey, and nothing is going to stop me from achieving my dreams.”

Lipinets (18-3-1, 13 KOs) is in the twilight of his ten-year career but still a threat. He showed that in a ten-round points win over Robbie Davies Jr. (24-5, 15 KOs) on May 8 in Plant City, Florida.

The win came six months after Lipinets was edged by Michel Rivera (26-1, 14 KOs) last Nov. 25 in Las Vegas. The win one, lose-one run has left the former titleholder at just 2-2-1 in his last five starts. The setbacks have come versus Rivera, unbeaten Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs; The Ring’s No. 1 welterweight) and then-undefeated Custio Clayton (18-0 at the time) during that stretch.

Lipinets’ lone other defeat came in a March 2018 loss to then-unbeaten Mikey Garcia, now a Hall of Fame ballot entry. The setback ended his brief IBF 140-pound title stay, though his career status was similar to where it remains today—high risk, low reward.

“I’m glad that Adam has accepted this fight,” stated Lipinets. “A lot of top fighters have refused to face me. I’ve never turned down a fight and this one is make or break for me. Adam is young and strong but he doesn’t have my experience. I’ve seen it all. May the best man win.”

Undercard details are expected in the coming weeks.