Official: Unbeaten Lebanese to Replace Beterbiev in Fight Against Bivol

The next opponent for the WBA light heavyweight champion (up to 175 lbs), 33-year-old Dmitry Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs), has been officially confirmed. He will face 30-year-old Lebanese Malik Zinad (22-0, 16 KOs). The bout is scheduled for June 1 in Saudi Arabia and will be a separate event in the 5 vs 5 tournament between the Queensberry and Matchroom promotional companies, also taking place on the same card. Previously, Bivol was slated to have a unification match against the WBO, WBA, and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, but he sustained an injury and will not be able to compete.

For Zinad, this will be his second fight in 2024. In his last match, he outboxed Jerome Pampillone by a majority decision, who was unbeaten until then. Malik is currently on a four-win streak by decision. The last opponent he defeated by knockout was Almir Skrieli – the next rival of Ready To Fight ambassador Daniel Lapin.