Bivol praises Zinad for accepting the fight at late-notice

WBA and IBO light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (22-0) praised the Malik Zinad (22-0) of Libya for accepting fight at late-notice to face him tonight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Zinad stepped in after original opponent Artur Beterbiev injured his knee. Bivol was supposed to fight Beterbiev for undisputed title.

“Thank you to Malik Zinad because just one month [ago] they took this fight,” said Bivol. “Malik is not an easy guy, how people think. He’s hungry. He believes in himself, and it makes me more excited to fight him. He’s confident, he’s never lost, and it makes me more excited again.”

Zinad, the 30-year-old challenger, has stopped 16 of his 22 victims, but the 33-year-old Bivol is at the top of his game. Zinad is hoping to slam the brakes on any progress being made towards Bivol and Beterbiev finally happening.

“This is a dream come true,” said Zinad, a Malta-based Libyan. “I’ve dreamed for this moment since I was 10 years old. First of June, I’m ready to fight, so I will be a surprise on the first of June.”

On his social media, Zinad promised he would cause “an earthquake” in the division.