Russian Dmitry Bivol retained his WBA world light heavyweight title after defeating Libyan challenger Malik Zinad by TKO in the sixth round in Riyadh.
British referee Howard Foster stopped the fight in the sixth round after two minutes and six seconds, while the undefeated Bivol, whose record now stands at 23 wins, 12 by knockout, was hitting his opponent in the corner of the ropes.
Zinad was a replacement for IBF, WBC and WBO champion Artur Beterbiyev, who withdrew from the fight for the absolute light heavyweight title last month due to meniscus problems.
However, on October 12 in Riyadh, a collision between two great champions is expected.
"We are professional boxers, we have to change tactics at every moment, every second and even in the ring and I had enough time to change my preparations for another fighter from Beterbiev," said Bivol, who inflicted Zinad with his first defeat after 22 wins.
Bivol retained the belt for the sixth time, but for the first time in six years, he did so by knockout.
He deserved the world salvo with his triumph against Saul Canelo Alavres.
And in the main opening fight, Danijel Dubua, who gave a great resistance to the absolute heavyweight champion, Aleksandar Usik, knocked out Filip Hrgović, who ended his streak of 17 victories.
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