DAN Azeez showed he is more than living up to the potential he showed as an amateur fighter for Colchester-based Essex University Boxing Club by claiming his first major title in the professional ranks.

The 29-year-old was in dreamland after delivering a powerful performance in defeating Canning Town's Charlie Duffield to claim the Southern Area light heavyweight title at the O2 Arena in London.

Azeez said: “I feel like this is a dream.

"I was fighting for my first title in a beautiful arena on such a great card.

"Thanks to everyone that came out to support me.

“When I’m in the ring everything is blacked out and it’s about getting the job done. "Now we’ll move on to whatever the next objective is."

Fighting on the undercard of the fight between Dillian Whyte and Oscar Rivas, Azeez stopped Duffield in the sixth of the ten three-minute rounds and Essex University coach Gordon Charlesworth is pleased to see him meeting the potentially he showed as the amateur for the Colchester club.

Charlesworth said: "This was a terrific display from Danny, actually showing what he can do.

"I'm so pleased that Danny is fulfilling the promise he displayed as an amateur.

“The longer rounds suit Danny and allow him to work his opponents.

"It was his best performance by far.”

The win extended Azzez's unbeaten professional record to nine straight wins and further underlined his growing reputation in the light heavyweight division.

The solid left jab that is the Essex University Boxing Club member’s signature punch was typically hard and accurate and found Duffield from the opening bell, as he found the range to bring the right hand into play.

Looking to establish a strong lead and break down Duffield’s resistance, Azeez made a high tempo start while allowing his opponent the centre of the ring.

Duffield appeared not to be able to match the speed or movement of Azeez and followed the him around the ring for the first two rounds without really bothering the Essex University man.

Azeez was settling into the bout, landing heavy punches through the middle with upper cuts and solid rights over the left hand of Duffield.

The tempo did not slow down with Azeez now turning on the style and Duffield never had an answer to the onslaught, unable to land the right hand shots that had secured him six knockout victories among his previous eight fights.

His one-dimensional style allowed Azeez to start beating up on him and when the sixth round came, the Essex University man delivered a six-punch combination that floored Duffield, whose trainer threw in the towel to save him from further punishment.

Azeez added: “I’ve got so much love and respect for Charlie, so during the build up it was hard to gear up and get ready to fight someone like him, but in the ring it’s just business.

“Thanks to MTK Global and Matchroom Boxing for putting me on this show and this is the start of propelling my career on to the big stages.”