Error code: %{errorCode}

Boxing

British champion explains why he will fight like Apollo Creed this weekend

British champion explains why he will fight like Apollo Creed this weekendDAZN

Dan Azeez is aiming to fight like Apollo Creed when he fights Rocky Fielding on Saturday night.

Azeez is making a defence of his British light heavyweight title, but there is also the vacant Commonwealth 175lb strap on the line, with the 33-year-old aiming to add another belt.

"That British title means a lot to me," he told Sky Sports. "I go down the supermarket, they don't even call me Dan, it's 'The British champion'.

"That's what it seem I go by. My community, my people they're behind me, they encourage me, they're proud of me.

"So that means a lot to me. Winning it. How I came about winning it, who I fought to win it, on the platform, just what I had to go through to win it - that title in particular means a lot to me.

"Even if I do win a world title in the future, God willing, the British title will probably still be my favourite."

Fielding is an experienced fighter in his own rights, and at 35, Azeez knows he is coming up against a dangerous veteran.

"He's got more knockouts than I've had fights," he added, "I have to be aware of that. But I believe I can punch as well.

"He's only been beaten by elite - not just good fighters, elite - fighters in Callum Smith and Canelo (Alvarez), who's pound for pound the number one right now. I've got to give him my respect.

"But I also respect myself. I'm the British champion, the reigning champion and he's the challenger. So I'm expecting a good fight and my hardest test to date.

"I've got to be Creed from the first fight. The Creed that messed him up! I've got to be the south London Creed.”

Watch on YouTube