Slough boxer Adam Azim has quickly risen through the ranks in the boxing world, earning himself the title of BBC Sport 'Young Fighter of the Year' 2022.

In an exclusive interview with the Observer, we take a look at how Adam became a boxing sensation as he prepares to fight for the European Title on November 18 in Wolverhampton.

Now 21 years old Adam grew up in Cippenham, Slough.

"Growing up in Slough was a big thing for me. All my family is there, all my cousins," he said.

"The thing about Slough is that when you go down the street everyone knows each other."

Adam shared that growing up in the town there weren't any boxers who had come from the area, adding "I wanted to be the first".

Working his way through school Adam attended Eton Porny and Western House Academy before spending three to four months at Westgate School.

He later enrolled himself in the Al-Madani Independent Grammar School for tuition, benefiting from the one-to-one support.

Speaking on his education, Adam said: "It was quite good. Growing up I had this condition called ADHD throughout my childhood and it was hard for me to concentrate in class and study.

"That is how I got into boxing because of my ADHD.

"School was a bit hard for me to handle.

"When I was four years old my dad asked if I wanted to do boxing, football, cricket and instantly we tried cricket, with a bat and ball but I couldn't field because of the ADHD.

"When I started punching the bags they saw the talent I had at four years old. I had great energy. 

"The doctors also advised me to do a combat sport.

"The first person who taught me boxing was my father. My dad made me a gym at the back of his garage where I used to do hours and hours of basic training - jab, cross, left and right hand.

"Afterwards I went to Junior Senior - he was my kickboxing coach but we used to do boxing because he is such a great pad man.

"He used to take me around local places and kickboxing tournaments where I never used to kick, I used to punch - I didn't know how to kick.

"If I was still in school I don't know what I'd be doing right now.

"My first pro-debut was in Covid time. Obviously, I sparred Luke Campbell, an Olympic gold medalist.

"A trainer Shane McGuigan saw how good I was and he took me on board. He got me to where I am right now."

Adam said if he could give advice to Slough children and teens he would say "get off the streets".

"There are a lot of stabbings going on and you can easily get distracted by different paths.

"If you have got the goals and ambitions to do something, do it.

"Stay in school and study, you only get one chance at life."

Now preparing for his fight on November 18, Adam said this year has been "hard" after he "excelled" last year with "great knockouts".

"This year it has been very tough for me, I had two hard oppositions and now I am fighting for a European title.

"When I hopefully win the European title I'll be the first Pakistani to win the title and the quickest to win. So I am looking forward to getting that win and knockout."

Adam hopes to one day box to crowds in Wembley Stadium.

"I want to become the youngest world champion. I'm still getting started.

"I'm going to bring that world title back to Slough."