Preview of Yan Zak vs Dickson Mwakisopile

Cruiserweight Yan Zak looks to make it five consecutive wins to start his professional career when the 25 year old takes on Dickson Mwakisopile on November 29 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The resident of Ashdod, Israel will have a skill advantage when he fights Mwakisopile, a rugged 30-year-old brawler from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. After turning pro on May 3, Zak has achieved a steady level of activity. The challenge for the Terminator's handlers is to find suitable opponents for the decorated amateur. Mwakisopile will pose a certain test for Zak.

Mwakisopile's record is a mediocre 8-5 with 7 KOs. He's been stopped four times. He turned pro in 2012 and cobbled together only four fights over the next eleven years. An upset victory over undefeated heavyweight Selemani Kavuta to start 2024 energized Dickson's career. Kavuta's philly shell defense confused Mwakisopile until Kavuta opened up in the fourth and ate a concussive counter right. That TKO victory led to a clash against one-time Tyson Fury foe Sefer Seferi, a fight in which Mwakisopile quit after the second round.

A year ago, prospect Timur Bibilov knocked out Mwakisopile in the opening round with a pair of left hooks. Two weeks later, Dickson blasted out Said Mbelwa in the first round of a rematch twelve years in the making. Mbelwa had beaten the young Tanzanian in his 2012 debut. To start 2025, Dickson traveled to Russia where he was rudely welcomed by Ruslan Fayfer, who disposed of the Dar es Salaamian inside one round.

Mwakisopile is on a three-fight win streak. He's an aggressive stalker, not unlike a college friend I once had. A stone-faced power-puncher, he throws a chopping right and his hips produce significant torque for his left hook. But he leaves himself open for counters. His right hand moves away from his face when he jabs. He boxed a bit against Kavuta but is primarily a one-dimensional pressure fighter. Zak will need to be careful to avoid Mwakisopile's heavy hands, but his speed and skill should carry the day.

Zak-Mwakisopile is scheduled for eight rounds.

Boxing to Return to the Maccabiah Games?

Calling All Jewish Boxers for the 2026 Maccabiah Games!

Boxing was a staple of the Maccabiah Games from its inception in 1932 until 1977, when memorable fighters such as Kenny Bogner, Bruce Strauss, and Haim Zilberschmidt competed. Beginning in 1981, boxing has been out of the Jewish Olympics, though.

Currently, there is a push to get boxing reinstated for the 22nd Maccabiah Games, to be held from July 1 until July 22, 2026 in Israel. The Jewish Boxing Blog has been asked to help compile of list of boxers who might be interested in competing. 

If you're a Jewish boxer, or know of one, please contact The JBB by either emailing JewishBoxing at yahoo dot com or DMing the Jewish Boxing Instagram account.

The committee is particularly looking for boxers who will represent countries other than the United States or Israel. However, if you will represent the U.S. or Israel, please feel free to contact The JBB.

David Malul vs Colin Huntington: Four-rounder of the Year?

Welterweight "King" David Malul is scheduled to face Colin "The Hunter" Huntington at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York, USA on November 13. This main event between two come-forward power punchers could be tremendously explosive.

Malul, 22, is a 3-0 New Yorker with 2 KOs. He last fought in March. A bout scheduled in August was scrapped when Malul busted his nose in training. David boxed more in his last fight against Shaq Rushing, but he has already developed a reputation as a frightful puncher after scoring two terrifying knockouts in his first two fights.

Huntington, a 23 year old father of a three-year old daughter, signifies a step-up for Malul. The native of Kalamazoo, Michigan is 3-6 with 2 KOs. An aggressive southpaw, Huntington has not been matched advantageously throughout his career. Since turning pro in 2021, the opponents he has lost to held a combined record of 23-5-1 when they face Huntington. Conversely, his wins have come against three opponents with a combine record of 2-22.

Huntington took his debut on one-day's notice, moved up several weight classes, and was stopped in the second round. He gained his first win in his third fight with a devastating knockout of Marlon Hardnick Jr in the second. Hardnick has been knocked out in all nine of his fights, including eight by first round stoppage.

The Hunter came out boxing against Jaime Cuesta in their fight two years ago. He countered from the outside in the first. Cuesta's aggression and punch variety inside trapped Huntington in the corner where he mostly had to cover up. In the third, Cuesta gave himself some space and landed two rights at range. The full extension of the first right almost separated Huntington from his senses and the fight was stopped.

Against fellow southpaw Lance Smith in May, Huntington started the fight landing crisp shots while pressing forward. Smith floored him twice with counter lefts and took control of the fight. Smith managed to pin Huntington against the ropes for most of the next two rounds until the man from the 'zoo retired after the third.

Both men have power and have been knocked down in their pro careers. Huntington has the height and experience advantages. He's no pushover and his southpaw stance could give Malul problems. Huntington leaves himself open when pushing forward and can become a sitting duck while against the ropes. Malul should get inside, negating Huntington's southpaw advantage and then find openings as the Michigander can be be touched up in a phonebooth. It's setting up to be a memorable fight.

This four-rounder will mark Malul's promotional debut.

Lev Jackson to Fight on November 22 in Mexico

Lightweight Lev Jackson is scheduled to fight on November 22 in Jamay, Jalisco, Mexico. The promotor is Teofista Boxing. Jackson is 4-1-1 with 2 KOs.

Lev is a 33 year old from Vancouver, Canada. He recently became a father and was looking for a stay-busy fight. He fought in Mexico in April, ending a year and a half layoff. Though he acknowledges this is a tune-up fight, he knows it won't be easy. If he can get past his as-of-yet unnamed opponent, he's looking for a bigger fight in 2026.