Dsalita WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) tipped the scales at 175 lbs, while challenger Malik Zinad (22-0, 16 KOs) came in at 174.2 pounds at the Friday weigh-in ahead of their upcoming showdown at the ‘5 vs. 5’ event on June 1st in Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, streaming live on DAZN PPV.
Zinad sees this as an opportunity to shock the world by taking down Bivol, who was initially set to face Artur Beterbiev before an injury forced the change in opponent. With Zinad stepping in, he aims to capitalize on his unexpected chance to defeat a seemingly fatigued Bivol, who appears visibly worn down. A victory for Zinad would make him Libya’s first-ever world champion.
The timing couldn’t be better for Zinad to challenge Bivol, given the latter’s preparation for a different style of opponent. Bivol’s lackluster performance against Lyndon Arthur in December has left some questioning his previous form in fights against Gilberto Ramirez and Canelo Alvarez despite winning both encounters.
Zinad’s optimism and determination shine through as he eagerly anticipates the opportunity to showcase his skills in the ring against Bivol. His focus on this fight stems from years of waiting for a chance like this, and he is determined to make the most of it. If he can secure a win against Bivol and set up a future bout with Beterbiev for the undisputed title, it would be a remarkable achievement.
Despite lacking experience against someone of Bivol’s caliber, Zinad’s belief and dedication drive him forward. His historic quest to become Libya’s first world title contender fuels his motivation, providing the extra push needed to potentially overcome Bivol’s skillful combinations and elusive style.
Zinad’s unwavering determination and self-assurance come to the fore as he expresses his commitment to achieving his goal of securing the WBA world title. He acknowledges the significance of the moment as the first Libyan fighter vying for a world championship and is prepared to seize the opportunity with hard work and perseverance.
