Uzbekistan’s Bektemir Melikuziev will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Intercontinental super middleweight title against Frenchman Pierre Dinombe this Saturday at the Barclays Arena in Brooklyn, New York. 

The regional champion will return to the ring for the second defense of his black and gold crown in the evening where Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia will be the featured bout. 

Melikuziev is a powerful fighter who has been growing in his career and overcoming obstacles. He had a tough time when he was knocked out by Gabriel Rosado in 2021 but has since recovered and even defeated Rosado in a rematch in 2023 to regain the WBA belt. 

His first defense was against Alantez Fox in October last year and now he will try to retain the crown in a new opportunity in this place and in such an important event. 

Dibombe is an experienced fighter who has made most of his career in France but in his penultimate fight he fought in Canada and recently fought on U.S. soil. His first U.S. experience was June 16 last year and he knocked out Derrick Findley in Atlantic City, which he will try to repeat now against Melikuziev. 

The Uzbek has a record of 13 wins, 1 loss and 10 knockouts, while the French fighter has 22 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw and 12 knockouts.