Dan Azeez attended Sunday’s thrilling British heavyweight title fight between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke, and being around the big-fight atmosphere seemed to stir something inside the light heavyweight.

It is two months since Azeez and Joshua Buatsi produced on a domestic cracker of their own that ended with Buatsi claiming a decision victory after 12 hard-fought, quality rounds. 

The defeat by Buatsi ended a remarkable run that transformed Azeez from a hard-working southern area champion into the reigning British and European title holder and a fighter capable of headlining London’s O2 Arena. 

Azeez, 20-1 (13 KOs), hasn’t had his ambition dented by the defeat, and he doesn’t feel the need to feel his way back into action. The 34 year old therefore wants to pick up exactly where he left off. 

“I wanna be in the mix again,” he told Boxxer. “I lost my last fight and I wanna prove that I’m still amongst that level of fighter. Stick me in there with another from the top five in the country or the top 20 in the world. I’m good to go.”

Talent runs deep in Britain’s busy light-heavyweight division, and although rumours continue to fly about who will step through the ropes for the 175lbs match up taking place on the upcoming Queensberry-Matchroom “5 vs 5” card and on the undercard of a likely domestic blockbuster between Anthony Yarde and Buatsi, Azeez will still have plenty of options.

Lyndon Arthur is looking for a high-profile route back after suffering a decision defeat in the biggest fight of his own career. In December Arthur was outpointed by the brilliant WBA champion, Dmitrii Bivol. The 32 year old certainly seems keen on the idea.

“@dan_azeez I beg tell your promoter @boxxer to make a sensible offer so we can get it cracking this summer @skysports,” he posted on social media. Azeez also likes the idea of a crossroads fight with the Mancunian.

“A few names have been mentioned to me but that’d be a wicked fight,” he said. “I rate Lyndon. I was out in Canada with him when we sparred [Artur] Beterbiev. He’s a very good fighter. Yeah, I’d love that fight.”

Another light heavyweight was in action on Saturday night and Azeez assumed commentary duty when Ben Whittaker got eight good rounds under his belt against Leon Willings. The Olympic silver medallist is only seven fights into his career but is moving quickly. Azeez kept it short when asked about a fight with the talented but divisive 26 year old but, although he didn’t rule out a clash, he did seem to suggest that it won’t happen immediately.

“Listen, anyone,” he said. “If he can get to that level, for sure, and if I can stay at that level then why not? Definitely.”