Azim-Gollaz Valenzuela Set for Dec. 4 IBF Eliminator

Adam Azim is set to face Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela on December 4 in London, with the Copper Box Arena hosting a junior welterweight clash that reportedly carries an IBF title eliminator designation.

Azim, unbeaten at 15-0 with 12 knockouts, last fought in May when he stopped Steve Claggett in three rounds. The Boxxer-promoted junior welterweight has fought only twice in 2025 and hasn't found consistent momentum since his February 2024 knockout of Sergey Lipinets. This will be his first fight back after a long layoff, and it comes with real stakes attached. Azim sits at No. 4 in the IBF's 140-pound rankings, with Valenzuela two spots behind at No. 6.

Valenzuela, 32, brings a 32-5-1 record with 18 knockouts and has been here before. He lost world title eliminators to Subriel Matias by eighth-round TKO and to Lindolfo Delgado by split decision last year, scoring a knockdown in the final round of that fight. He got back on track in May with a seventh-round stoppage of Rogelio Jimenez Laguna.

Why This Eliminator Matters for the IBF Title Picture

The winner in London will be positioned for a shot at the vacant IBF junior welterweight title. Azim has won his last six fights inside the distance and has spent months being mentioned alongside Dalton Smith, the WBC titleholder and his fellow British 140-pounder, as a potential domestic blockbuster. A win over Valenzuela keeps that conversation alive and gives Azim the kind of signature victory his resume has lacked. He's beaten durable veterans like Claggett and Lipinets, but Valenzuela's level of recent championship-round experience against world-class operators like Matias and Delgado is a different test.

For Valenzuela, this is a third crack at an eliminator after coming up short twice. He's shown he can compete with the division's best for stretches, including that late knockdown against Delgado, but he hasn't been able to close the gap when it matters most.

Betting Angle

Azim enters as the favorite given his undefeated record, home-country support in London, and the finishing instincts that have produced six straight stoppages. But oddsmakers and bettors should weigh the layoff and the step up in opposition quality. Valenzuela has gone the distance with two legitimate 140-pound contenders in the last two years and has proven he can take a fighter into deep water. If Azim's power doesn't translate against someone who has survived Matias and pushed Delgado to the scorecards, this fight could run longer than his recent knockout streak suggests, which matters for anyone looking at round-total markets rather than just the moneyline.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Adam Azim and Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela fight?

Adam Azim is set to face Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela on December 4 at London's Copper Box Arena in a Boxxer-promoted card.

What is at stake in Adam Azim vs Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela?

The fight is reportedly an IBF junior welterweight title eliminator, meaning the winner will be in line for a future shot at the vacant IBF belt.

What are Adam Azim's and Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela's records?

Adam Azim is unbeaten at 15-0 with 12 knockouts, while Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela is 32-5-1 with 18 knockouts.