Riyadh: Ziyad “Zizo” Almaayouf, Saudi Arabia’s first professional boxer, is set to make his highly anticipated return to the ring on February 22 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Almaayouf (6-0-1, 1 KO), a rising lightweight contender, will be part of an extraordinary boxing card dubbed “The Last Crescendo,” which features a highly anticipated light heavyweight unification rematch between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
At just 24 years old, Almaayouf continues to make waves in Middle Eastern boxing, having debuted professionally in 2022. His return to the ring is seen as a pivotal moment for Saudi Arabia’s growing boxing scene, especially as the Kingdom seeks to become a major player in the sport, in line with its Vision 2030 initiative.
Almaayouf’s inclusion on the monumental card, announced by Saudi General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alalshikh at a London press conference, adds significant local interest to the event. During the announcement, Almaayouf expressed his determination to inspire young Saudi athletes, saying, “Every time I step through those ropes, I’m carrying the hopes of countless young Saudi athletes who now see professional boxing as a viable path.”
Almaayouf’s progress has been closely monitored by Hall of Fame trainer James “Buddy” McGirt, who has been working with the Saudi prospect in an intense eight-week training camp. McGirt has praised Almaayouf’s natural talent, including his speed, ring IQ, and instinct, which are being further honed for potential world championship success.
The February 22 event, part of the Riyadh Season, underscores Saudi Arabia’s ambition to establish itself as a global boxing hub, with Almaayouf’s return set to be a landmark moment for the Kingdom’s boxing history. His opponent for the bout is yet to be announced, but expectations are high for a competitive matchup.
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