'I sparred savage Beterbiev - now I'm ready for anyone!'

Dan Azeez is ready to propel himself into world title contention after recently experiencing life at the top by working with fearsome champion Artur Beterbiev.

The British light-heavyweight prospect spent time training with the Russian amid his preparations for his WBC and IBF title defence against Joe Smith Jr in New York this Saturday, boosting his own stock in the eyes of the champion's team.

It looms as a fight Azeez will undoubtedly have one eye on as he seeks to continue his rise through the division after extending his unbeaten record to 16-0 (11 KOs) with an eighth-round stoppage of Reece Cartwright in March.

"He's been training with Beterbiev for the fight so he knows all about him," BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom told Sky Sports. "I think they were extremely impressed with what they saw.

"I know they were trying to sign him while he was out there, he's an impressive guy, Dan, and people are going to be surprised at the level he can compete at. We'll see what happens, everybody wants the world titles, whether it's Dan Azeez, (Joshua) Buatsi, Anthony Yarde.

"I know Anthony Yarde is perhaps mandatory for the WBO, and then there might be the unification with (Dmitry) Bivol, but Dan Azeez wants to be in that bracket, in that mix.

"Hopefully we're going to get him out this summer in a big fight and hopefully he can start knocking on the door for world titles."

Beterbiev is 17-0 entering his clash with Smith Jr having retained his titles with a ninth-round knockout victory against Marcus Browne in December.

Azeez has backed him as a 'heavy favourite' and, having shared a ring with the 37-year-old himself, believes it will be "testament" to Smith's toughness should he last more than six rounds.

"I heard loads of stories about