Wilder vs Zhang new headliner June 1st Zinad Replaces Beterbiev

WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol remains on the lineup for the June 1 megacard set to unfold in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, despite the postponement of his highly anticipated bout against WBC/IBF/WBO champion Artur Beterbiev due to Beterbiev's injury. Instead, Bivol is slated to face the undefeated IBF #2 ranked contender Malik Zinad (22-0, 16 KOs). While Bivol vs. Zinad won't take the spotlight as the main event, the card will still showcase the Queensberry vs. Matchroom "5v5" series, with the headline bout featuring Deontay Wilder against Zhilei Zhang.

For Bivol (22-0, 11 KO), the decision to proceed with a different opponent stems from a desire to stay active rather than linger in uncertainty awaiting Beterbiev's recovery. Considering Beterbiev's history of injuries and the potential for further delays, it appears to be a pragmatic move for the 33-year-old Russian. Bivol's last fight took place in December 2023, where he triumphed over Lyndon Arthur in Riyadh. However, prior to that, he had endured a 13-month hiatus from the ring, having fought only twice since his notable victory over Canelo Alvarez in 2022, a victory that should have propelled his career with more momentum.

Malik Zinad, aged 30 and hailing from Libya but fighting out of Malta, earned his spot by defeating Jerome Pampellone in an IBF eliminator on April 24 in Australia, securing a majority decision victory on hostile territory. Despite the opportunity to pursue the IBF route, Zinad swiftly pivoted to face Bivol, recognizing the chance to make a significant statement in the light heavyweight division.

While Zinad's victory over Pampellone stands as the pinnacle of his career thus far, his consistent performances have positioned him as a legitimate contender in a division hungry for fresh talent. As Bivol and Zinad prepare to clash, the stage is set for an intriguing matchup that could potentially shape the landscape of the light heavyweight division.