Zain Adams Set To Lock Horns With Flyweight Veteran Enrique Magsalin
Zain Adams returns to the ring on August 26th as he looks to earn himself a top 15 world ranking by the start of 2024.
New Zealand boxing is booming at the moment, and Peach Boxing's Zain Adams (2-0 2KO) aims to keep the momentum growing by staking his claim as a contender in the flyweight division.
The Isaac Peach-trained fighter, who turned professional in May, looks set for a busy second half of 2023 as he aims to establish his name on the local and international scene.
The 24-year-old will return to the ring on August 26 at Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium, when he competes on the undercard of stablemate Mea Motu's first title defence of her IBO Super Bantamweight crown.
The D&L promoted event will be screened live on Sky Sports, allowing Adams the chance to introduce himself to the New Zealand sporting public.
Adams will take on Philippines' veteran Enrique Magsalin (9-4-2, 1KO) before stepping back into the ring less than two weeks later against an as-yet-unannounced opponent.
"I think Isaac [Peach] wants me to be in the top 15 by the end of this year or the beginning of next year," Adams explains.
" If everything goes to plan, no injuries, and everyone's healthy, that's what we had in mind. We do have a lot of fights coming up."
Adam's first two pro bouts saw him rack up successive first-round finishes over Shalvin Chand and Obedi Maguchi. However, Magsalin will be a step up in quality. The 28-year-old southpaw has never been stopped and went the distance with WBC World Flyweight title challenger Samuel Carmona.
A win over Magsalin, who comes into this bout on a two-fight winning streak, will provide the perfect springboard for Adams to become a ranked fighter. The fact that Adams is training alongside multiple athletes at Peach Boxing, who have either had or are closing in on world title opportunities, has only strengthened his belief that a clear path to success lies before him.
"It does give you a bit more drive to pursue a career in fighting. Now that those doors have been opened with D&L with Isaac, with the fighters in the gym, "Adams says.
" David Light had the world title shot; Mea is a world champion, Andrei [Mikhailovich] is top six, Jerome [ Pampellone] is top 10. So we're slowly but surely getting the exposure we deserve, and I think it's going to help, not just for the now but also for the future of New Zealand boxing."
Since teaming up with Peach, Adams, a keen student of the sport, has noticed his progression as a fighter under the tutelage of his head trainer. It is easy to see why the two click; both men share a passion for boxing and understand the importance of fighters mastering the classical elements of the sport before adding in any crowd-pleasing tricks.
"It's the small things, small things that I've been aware of myself but have never been reminded of or implemented by other coaches," Adams says, opening up about what he has been focusing on under Peach.
"It's basic stuff like turning the hips more, being balanced, and always opening the hip up, "he continues.
" I think we're capable of doing some pretty fancy things, but it's very important, at our gym, [to focus on the] basics. Foundation, balance, legs, just things that kind of aren't really taught at gyms anymore. "
After his two upcoming fights, Adams will head to North America with an amateur squad of New Zealand fighters looking to make their way to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Reaching the status of an elite-level athlete requires a 100 per cent commitment, and a glance at Adams' upcoming schedule indicates that he will put everything on the table in his quest to reach the level of success his fellow teammates have experienced.
However, what drives him appears to be more than a simple desire for fame and riches. When talking about boxing, it becomes apparent that he loves the process of what it takes to become a great fighter, as well as the neverending search for excellence within the squared circle.
" I enjoy the flow, the rhythm, the technique, the foundation of it. It's almost like a bit of a chess match, and just trying to figure out the different puzzles of different fighters. I really enjoy the art of boxing and what it brings, " he explains.
" So even when I'm shadow boxing, hitting the bag and on the pads and trying different techniques and a lot of different things, I enjoy doing those things for myself."
So far, Adams has checkmated his opponents without missing a beat, and if he keeps up the same level of performance for his forthcoming bouts, Peach Boxing may have soon have another world title contender on its hands.
Tickets for Adams’ upcoming fights can be purchased at D&L and Peach Boxing’s websites.