TSaturday, WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol He will be defending his title for the sixth time, but this time against an unbeaten opponent. Malik Zinad.
Zinad will take the place of the Russian champion. Artur BeterbievIt was originally planned as a fight to determine the undisputed champion of the division.
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The bout will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will be the main event of the only five-on-five card featuring fighters from Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions.
Malik Zinad steps up
Libyan fighters Malik Zinad (22-0, 16 KOs) Beterbiev He injured his knee just before the scheduled unification bout. BiborgGiven the BeterbievGiven his age (39), it is unlikely that the unification bout will be rescheduled anytime soon.
“Thanks to you Malik Zinad I'm grateful that he accepted this fight just a month ago. Malik is not as easy a guy as people think. He has a hungry mind. He's confident in himself, which makes me even more excited to fight him. He's full of confidence and has never lost before. That makes me even more excited.” Biborg He had this to say about his opponent that night:
“This is a dream come true. I've been dreaming about this moment since I was 10 years old. I'm ready to fight, so it will be a surprise on June 1st,” he emphasized. Malik.
Malik Zinad's record
Gina He made his professional debut on October 30, 2015. Bogolyub Boryev He won by technical knockout (TKO) in the second round in Attard, Malta.
He then teamed up with former world champion Donny Lalonde As manager and together they won the vacant WBA International light heavyweight title in their sixth bout. Attila Parko September 24, 2016.
Gina He defended the title three months later. Beka AduashviliHe won the Bosnian BBO light heavyweight title on March 25, 2017. Alexander Kuvak The battle lasted just over a minute.
After that, he Germaine Assare Two months later he knocked him out in the first round in Cardiff. Gina Fighting in London on October 12, 2019, Michal Gazdik Two rounds at York Hall.
With a 16-0 record, Zinad defeated Russia. Timur Nikharkhoev The event will be held in Brussels on March 28, 2021, where he will compete for the vacant IBO Intercontinental title in that division.
In his next bout in August, he won by third-round knockout. Almir Kryjeli He will compete for the vacant WBC Mediterranean light heavyweight title.
