An old sparring partner has joined Chris Billam-Smith and the rest of the stable at McGuigan’s Gym.
Malik Zinad, who sparred Billam-Smith at the start of the Bournemouth man’s career, has linked up with Shane McGuigan.
Light heavyweight contender Zinad, who was born in Libya but fights out of Malta, is 23-1 (17 KOs) and has fought just once since a sixth-round stoppage loss to Dmitry Bivol in Saudi Arabia last year.
He is ranked No. 7 with the IBF and at 12 by the WBO.
McGuigan’s stable currently includes, among others Caroline Dubois, Ellie Scotney, Willie Hutchinson, and Adam Azim.
Billam-Smith told BoxingScene, “Obviously me and Malik sparred many years ago when I was a smaller cruiserweight and he was just starting… He hadn’t boxed at world level, which he has now. He’s a very talented fighter and if he can brush up on a few things, then I believe he can win a world title as well.”
Zinad is 31, but might not be getting regular rounds with fellow 175-pounder Hutchinson or the bigger CBS.
“We don’t do a huge amount of in-house sparring, especially in terms of like light heavies with cruisers, et cetera,” explained Billam-Smith. “But if needed, we will spar. I'm sure we will. The opportunity is there.”
Billam-Smith is headed to New York where he is due to carry one of Scotney’s world titles to the ring before Catford’s unified junior featherweight champion boxes Yamileth Mercado at Madison Square Garden in a feature bout on the Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano MVP bill.
“I’m buzzing to get out to MSG and see her in Madison Square Garden,” said Billam-Smith. “It is special for every fighter to get the opportunity to do that. I’m pretty sure I’m holding one of her belts. So I’m even more excited to get to do that at MSG.”
