I am preparing for the biggest puncher of my career, Azim told Sky Sports. He is a big puncher but the aim of the game is not to get hit.
I want to be going back to my corner, sitting down, and when Shane (McGuigan) asks me the question ‘how is his punch’, I want to say ‘I have not been hit yet.
That is the game plan in my head right now. So I have just got to sit down, not get hit, and if I do get hit, you can’t really teach anything about that. It is whether you can take it or not.
I know I have come from the high mountains of Kashmir and I know that I am a warrior in my family.
I have a lot more to come. I am still young, I am still learning, and I am looking forward to the fight.
Although Azim and Davies are friends outside of the ring having trained at the same gym for many years, the up-and-coming star knows once the fight starts, friendships go out of the window.
It’s the boxing world. To get to where you want to be, you’ve got to fight, Azim said.
I’ve got to have that mindset to go in, dictate the fight and stay in the middle. We have got so much respect for each other. When we get to fight night, when the bell goes, our friendship goes, because we’re in a fight, we’re in war and we’re there to put on a clinical performance.
I’m there to do my duty and face whoever is in front of me. It doesn’t matter if it’s a young up-and-comer like Azim, I will be fully focused and ready for the challenge. I believe I am ready for the world level and this fight will be a test to prove that. I won’t look past Azim, he’s a dangerous opponent and I know I have to be switched on to come out victorious. Let’s see who unlocks the code to victory in October.”