Saudi boxer Ziyad Al Maayouf, known as “Zizo,” continues to make history in the sport as the first Saudi professional boxer to compete on the international stage, building a career shaped by ambition, resilience and a determination to represent the Kingdom on the world’s biggest boxing platforms.
For Al Maayouf, the journey is about more than winning fights and collecting titles. He is also seeking to break barriers and help create a path for a new generation of Saudi boxers, drawing on years of demanding training and experiences that have shaped him both inside and outside the ring.
From Jeddah to the World’s Boxing Rings
Al Maayouf’s journey began far from comfort and familiarity. He left his family and familiar surroundings to pursue a demanding professional career, enduring early-morning training sessions and intense sparring, including difficult experiences in Los Angeles boxing gyms.
Those experiences became a crucial part of his development as a professional fighter, testing him physically and mentally while teaching him the discipline required to remain committed to his ambitions.
From the beginning, however, Al Maayouf saw his future as something bigger than simply becoming a boxer. He believed he could use the sport to achieve a greater purpose, an ambition that has continued to shape his career.
The Jab That Became His Signature
One of the defining features of Al Maayouf’s boxing style is his sharp and precise jab, which has become one of his most recognizable weapons inside the ring.
His abilities eventually attracted the attention of Hall of Fame trainer Buddy McGirt, who helped refine his approach and develop his skills as a professional fighter.
According to Al Maayouf, McGirt focused on two fundamental qualities: heart and the jab.
Over time, the jab became a central part of Al Maayouf’s identity, combining speed, accuracy and relentless combinations to create a distinctive style in the ring.
From Jeddah to Riyadh and Los Angeles
Al Maayouf’s professional journey has included major milestones, from his debut in Jeddah to appearances in front of passionate crowds across the Kingdom and international bouts against experienced opponents.
He has also faced demanding tests in the United States, particularly in Los Angeles, where competing against strong opposition provided valuable experience and further opportunities to develop his game.
The road has not been without setbacks. Al Maayouf has experienced difficult moments in the ring and has been knocked down during fights, but he has repeatedly managed to rise and continue competing.
More Than Just Titles
Al Maayouf’s career represents more than an individual sporting journey. He is helping strengthen the presence of Saudi boxing on the international stage while demonstrating the level of discipline, endurance and mental strength required to compete professionally in the sport.
Between training, competition and international travel, Al Maayouf continues to build his career one fight at a time, with ambitions that extend beyond individual victories.
His goal is to leave a lasting sporting legacy and inspire young Saudi athletes to consider professional boxing as a path to international competition.
With every new challenge, “Zizo” continues to expand his presence on the global boxing scene, carrying a story that began in Saudi Arabia and evolved through some of the sport’s toughest training and competitive environments.
