Saudi ‘superhero’ Ziyad Almaayouf ready to seize his opportunity

Lightweight Ziyad Almaayouf sees himself as a Saudi superhero and not just a boxing prospect.

The Saudi-backed fighter might not receive extensive media coverage yet as he faces developmental fighter Michal Bulik early in the telecast at BMO Stadium on Saturday in Los Angeles, but the match signifies a key test study over time. Can Riyadh Season, Saudi Arabia’s entry into boxing, develop a world-class prospect and promote them like a traditional promoter would?

Almaayouf (5-0, 1 KO), who trains with Buddy McGirt, has expressed his ambitions in previous interviews. He told the BBC that he wants to be the “Arab Pacquiao.”

While much of the Western media grapples with Saudi Arabia’s increasing influence in boxing, Almaayouf is seizing the moment. He aims to be the first fighter built on these mega-cards, with dreams of fighting for a title one day in Saudi Arabia.

“The Saudi superhero is on a mission abroad,” Almaayouf said on Tuesday at the grand arrivals. “Batman has left Gotham City but he never doesn’t return.”

Almaayouf, 25, was born in Saudi Arabia but resides in Los Angeles. This week’s fight represents a convergence of his two worlds as it is a Saudi-promoted card in the L.A. area. His opponent, 35-year-old Polish southpaw Michal Bulik (6-7, 2 KOs), has lost five straight, including a stoppage by Campbell Hatton, son of Hall of Famer Ricky Hatton, in May 2023 in Manchester. Bulik is the type of fighter a prospect usually faces at this stage in their career. 

“I’m here to do a job, I’m going to do the job,” Almaayouf said.

With investment in main event boxing and top-notch fights, Riyadh Season is becoming a staple in boxing. However, the future is always close to becoming the present. Many fighters featured on the card, like Terence Crawford (aged 36) and Andy Ruiz (aged 34), are older. Younger fighters will need to step up. Almaayouf’s development will be a subplot to watch as he embraces his role as a boxing ambassador for Saudi Arabia.

“As much pressure as this is, even more privilege comes with it, to be a flag bearer, to be a superhero, to be a symbol, not only for a state or city but for a country like Saudi Arabia, and even the Arab world,” Almaayouf said. “I carry the whole side of the world with me when I go into the ring, thanks to the two holy mosques, the king, the crown prince, and His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh, for giving me the opportunity and the faith. They gave it to the right guy.”