Bivol vs Zinad preview: Betting tips and odds
This Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dmitry Bivol steps into the ring with relatively unknown Libyan fighter Malik Zinad. The fight was changed just a few weeks ago when Artur Beterbiev, Bivol’s originally scheduled opponent, had to pull out of the clash due to an injury.
On paper, Saturday should be a comfortable win for the experienced Dmitry Bivol, which means finding good odds for the fight can be challenging. Let’s see what we can find in this Bivol vs Zinad betting preview.
Current Bivol vs Zinad odds
Dmitry Bivol is the clear favourite for Saturday’s night, with the most generous odds coming from BetUK, who are pricing him at 1/18, with Malik Zanid at 23/2. These odds should tell you everything you need to know about the fight, with Zanid being a huge outsider.
- Dmitry Bivol to win at 1/18 with BetUK
- Malik Zinad to win at 23/2 with BetUK
- Draw at 28/1 with talkSPORT Bet
Dmitry Bivol’s latest matches and form
Dmitry Bivol comes into Saturday’s clash with an unbeaten record in 22 fights. The 33-year-old Russian has been on fire over the last two years, securing victories over Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, and Lyndon Arthur.
His last clash took place in Riyadh on the Day of Reckoning card in December, where he expertly picked apart British boxer Lyndon Arthur, winning by unanimous decision. It was one of the most efficient performances of the night, and I expect more of the same from him on Saturday.
Despite knocking Arthur down in the fight, you have to go all the way back to 2018 to find the last time Bivol won a fight by stoppage. His last eight fights have all gone to the judges, with the Russian having an incredible 100% record, winning each fight by unanimous decision.
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Malik Zinad’s latest matches and form
Malik Zinad steps into the ring on Saturday with a near-identical record to his opponent. The Libyan has had 22 fights, winning all of them. Of course, there is some disparity in the quality of each fighter's opponents, with Zinad never having faced an opponent as talented as Bivol or even approaching his level.
Zinad’s most notable win came in his last fight, when he scored a decision victory over New Zealand boxer Jerome Pampellone, handing The Panther his first career loss.
There is no doubt that Bivol is the biggest test of Zinad’s career to date, which is reflected in the bookmaker’s odds of 23/2 with BetUK.
Bivol vs Zinad betting tips and odds
Dmitry Bivol vs Malik Zinad is likely to be an extremely one-sided affair, as reflected in the result odds. As such, I’ve looked through some of the other available markets and picked three bets among my tried and tested boxing bookies that I think offer some value ahead of the show.
Dmitry Bivol by Unanimous Decision at 6/5 (bet365)
I don’t think I am alone in thinking that Saturday’s match is a massive mismatch. On a card that features several highly competitive and difficult-to-call encounters, Bivol vs. Zinad stands out as a predictable fight.
Bivol is levels above his relatively unknown opponent and will likely make easy work of him inside the ring. His last Saudi outing against Lyndon Arthur was a similar fight, with Bivol expertly dispatching him over the course of the 12 rounds. I can see a similar outcome on Saturday, which is why I’m backing Dmitry Bivol to win by unanimous decision at 6/5 with bet365.
🥊 Bet on Dimitry Bivol to win by unanimous decision at 6/5 with bet365 🥊
Fight to go the Distance - Yes at 4/5 (talkSPORT Bet)
Dmitry Bivol is not the kind of fighter to go gung-ho and put himself at risk, especially in a fight that should be very one-sided for the 33-year-old. As I’ve mentioned, his clash with Lyndon Arthur in December was similarly mismatched, and he cruised to a fairly comfortable 12-rounds against the Englishman. I can see him doing the same against Zinad this weekend, so I’m backing the fight to go the distance at 4/5 with talkSPORT Bet.
🥊 Back the fight to go the distance at 4/5 with talkSPORT Bet 🥊
Dmitry Bivol by KO/TKO at 4/5 (BetUK)
Of course, I wouldn’t 100% rule out a Bivol TKO/KO win in Riyadh. Malik is a bit of an unknown, with the Libyan not having taken on any notable opponents throughout his 22-fight career. As such, Bivol could look to score the stoppage win and put his opponent away quickly. He has not secured a stoppage win since 2018. I think there is value in backing him to do so at 4/5 with BetUK.
🥊 Bet on Bivol to win by KO/TKO at 4/5 with BetUK 🥊
How to bet on Bivol vs Zinad
If you want to place a bet on the Dmitry Bivol vs Malik Zanid fight this weekend, you can follow these steps:
- First, choose the betting site you want to use. You can sign up for any of the bookies mentioned in this article by clicking their respective links.
- If you are a new customer, make sure you claim your welcome bonus.
- Head to the sports A-Z section and click on boxing. As there is no football this weekend, the 5 vs 5 Queensberry vs Matchroom event may be highlighted on the homepage with some bookmakers.
- Click on the Dmitry Bivol vs Malik Zanid fight. It will be located under June 1st.
- Scroll through the available markets and add your selection to your betting slip.
- Enter your stake and double-check that everything is correct.
- If you are betting on mobile, I recommend depositing funds with Apple or Google Pay for extra convenience.
- Click confirm, sit back, and enjoy the fight.
Who is the favourite to win, Dmitry Bivol or Malik Zinad?
Dmitry Bivol is the overwhelming favourite for Saturday’s showdown in Riyadh. The Russian is priced at 1/18 with BetUK, with Malik Zinad all the way out at 23/2.
What’s the weight category of the Bivol vs Zinad fight?
Bivol vs. Zinad is going to be a light heavyweight title match, with Bivol’s WBO light heavyweight title on the line. The maximum each fighter can weigh in is 175 lbs. Bivol weighed in just beneath this at 174.6 lbs for his last fight against Lyndon Arthur in December. Zinad came in at a near identical weight for his clash against Jerome Pampellone in April, tipping the scales at 174.5 lbs.
Who has more professional matches, Dmitry Bivol or Malik Zinad?
Bivol and Malik come into Saturday’s fight with the same number of fights under their belts: 22. However, Bivol is the more experienced fighter, having made his debut one year earlier than his opponent in 2014 and having an accomplished amateur career under his belt. Bivol won the Russian National Championships at age 18 and finished his amateur career with a 268-15 record.
Who has more wins in their professional career, Dmitry Bivol or Malik Zinad?
Both Dmitry Bivol and Mailk Zinad have won all 22 of their career fights. Bivol has had the more difficult fights of the two, though, with his most iconic win coming against Canelo Alvarez in 2022.
Who has more KOs in their career, Dmitry Bivol or Malik Zinad?
Malik Zinad has a better KO record than Dmitry Bivol. He has landed 16 knockouts compared to Bivol’s 11. His most recent stoppage win came against Almir Skrijelj in 2019, while Bivol’s last was against Sullivan Barrera in 2018.
What’s on the line if Zinad wins?
Malik Zinad will get the chance to win Dmitry Bivol’s WBA light heavyweight title when the two fighters meet in Riyadh on Saturday night.
Are there any undercard fights that you should pay attention to?
Absolutely! Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad is just one of several fantastic matches that will take place on the Matchroom vs. Queensberry card in Riyadh on Saturday. Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn will pit five of their best fighters against one another in what promises to be a showstopping night of boxing action.
The most eye-catching of these encounters is the clash between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois. They are two of the heavyweight division’s most exciting fighters, and while it is unclear whether the IBF heavyweight title will be on the line, there is talk of the winner of the fight getting a blockbuster showdown with Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September. Hrgovic is the narrow favourite for this, with talkSPORT Bet pricing him at 2/5, with Dubois at 2/1.
Elsewhere, I’m expecting some knockout action from Zheli Zhang vs. Deontay Wilder. Both men are desperate for a win following losses to Joseph Parker, and they are both more than capable of knocking the other out. Zhang is the slight favourite for this one at 8/13, with Wilder just out at 13/10.
I’m also excited about Nick Ball taking on undefeated American Raymond Ford for his WBA featherweight world title. Ball is a star on the rise, and Saturday’s match gives him a chance to really make a name for himself.
The other two contests rounding out the 5 vs 5 Queensberry vs Matchroom contest are Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Ammo Williams and Willy Hutchinson vs. Craig Richards in an all-British showdown.
About the author
Liam Hoofe
Liam is an experienced iGaming and sports betting journalist based in Cardiff. He has worked in the sports betting industry since 2017 and has provided content for some of the biggest casino and betting brands in the UK. He has also covered football and other sports for both regional and national newspapers.
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