British Champion Dan Azeez Ordered To Face Thomas Faure For European Honours
Undefeated British champion Dan Azeez (17-0, 11 KOs) has been ordered to face France’s Thomas Faure (21-4-1, 2 KOs) for the vacant European Light Heavyweight Championship with purse bid deadlines set for December 1.
This comes after the shock retirement of Callum Johnson last week, who was supposed to face Faure for the title on the Dec 3 Fury Chisora undercard. Faure and Johnson were the #4 and #6 contenders respectively and after the withdrawal of Johnson, Azeez is the next highest-rated, available fighter.
NoSmokeBoxing understands that Azeez’s planned return is Dec 17 (previously Dec 10) in Bournemouth on a card expected to be headlined by Chris Bilam-Smith. An offer was put in to Liverpool’s Rocky Fielding to challenge for Azeez’s British title but was denied by the Fielding camp.
Should Azeez and Faure reach a deal, they will likely meet on Dec 17. If that date is too early, BOXXER have shows planned in early 2023 on Feb 4 with the Taylor Catterall rematch and Eubank-Smith that is expected to land in January per Ben Shalom.
Faure is a step down in opposition for Azeez and many are of the belief that he is a ‘soft fight’ for the European title but with the resume of Azeez and the approach that he has taken including winning Southern Area, English and British titles in 50-50 fights, the Londoner can be forgiven for taking an easier contest with a big reward.
