Adam Azim proved he was levels above Ohara Davies on Saturday night.

The fast-rising British prospect dropped Davies in the fifth round with a sickening shot to the body before closing the show in the eighth stanza with a huge left hook.

Azim dominated for the entirety of the contest and impressed the talkSPORT panel, who sang his praises in the immediate aftermath.

“It was a near-perfect performance, his trainer may throw a few floors at him in his defensive game because he did get clipped a couple of times but he took the shots,” said talkSPORT’s Adam Catterall.

“I thought the feet were beautiful, the shot selection was great, the speed was great, the choice of shots body to head was absolutely fantastic.

“He had the vicious intent about him when it came to the finish. That was a statement performance from Adam Azim.”

All roads appear to lead to a domestic dustup with Dalton Smith next year but Gareth A. Davies still feels it will come a touch too soon.

“He broke him up, it was a brilliant left hook finish,” said Davies.

“I thought it was a very fine performance from him tonight but I think in saying this, he’s still not ready for Dalton Smith.

“It will happen but I don’t think he is quite ready yet, for me who could have got Ohara out of there a little earlier but he was very patient tonight.”

Azim and Smith looked as though they were set to square off earlier this year but both parties were unable to come to terms.

Asked about when we will eventually see the all-British showdown, Azim told talkSPORT: “You know what, I want it next year but guess what?

“After watching this performance he is going to be worried about me.”

Davies wasn’t able to win a round at the Copperbox Arena but he gave it his all and went out on his shield.

In the immediate aftermath, the 32-year-old hung up his gloves.

“Listen I tried to, I did my thing but now it’s time for the young gun Adam to make his move and be up there,” Davies told Sky Sports.

“I’ve had my time in the sport of boxing, I have been a pro for over ten years and I think this might be the end of my boxing career in the same Borough of Hackney where I started it.

“I think you need to know when your time is done, you don’t want to stay in the sport too long, you don’t want to take too many headshots.

“I’m fit and I’ve still got my faculties. I think this might be the end of my boxing career and I’m glad it is against Adam… I’m not enjoying boxing anymore.”