Boxing: “I want to confirm and prove my status”, Lot-et-Garonnais Samir Ziani defends his international belt in Marseille

Four months after the victory in Lyon against Mexican José Macias Enriquez, Samir Ziani is back at work. Villeneuvois returns to the ring this Saturday, in Marseille, against his compatriot Jordan Rodriguez (from 20:30 on RMC Sport 2). – Everything has gone well in recent weeks. This can only go well after a victory”, smiles Lot-et-Garonnais, in a “good state of mind”. “It gave me even more energy for the future, and it also allowed me to get even closer to a fight for the world title,” confides the man who now holds the WBC International belt in the category – 58.9 kg.

“I’m Conditioned as a Contender”

This Saturday evening, Samir Ziani will have double pressure on his shoulders. The first is to defend your belt, by being the person to take down. “On several occasions I was chased away, and not by just anyone. So I know this status. Now we have to confirm it and prove it, explains the 33-year-old boxer, used to this. “I am the hunter of the one who wants to hunt me. For a long time, those who have known me have known that I am conditioned as a challenger. I’m always looking to prove myself. »

So, Villeneuvois promises it. He will “react like a boxer hunting to defend his territory”. But this match is not just a challenge for the defence. Above all, it is a new opportunity to prove the level of Samir Ziani, looking for a fight for the world title in the category. In this sense, his matchup this Saturday resembles a semi-final of sorts. “I don’t like to talk about a quarter or a half. But we passed the quarter. It was against Macias Enriquez in December. I have to prove my status. This will show the association that I can have my chance on the world stage. »

But Lot-et-Garonnais must be wary of Isérois Jordan Rodriguez, unbeaten after nine matches. “He was French champion several times, and for several years in the French amateur team. He has a background I never had as an amateur. For all that I don’t underestimate him because he is a good boxer. » Suspicious, Samir Ziani is vigilant, although he may be favored by Marseille supporters. “I have people from Marseille who wrote to me through the networks and said they would come to see me. I will be at home for a while,” explains the man who defines himself as “a Lot-et-Garonnais at heart”. “I am Villeneuvois. But when I see all those who follow me to Agen, Fumel or Marmande, I say I am Lot-et-Garonnais, he laughs. And all those people will still be behind him Saturday night.