Tarik Zaina embodied traveling around the world when it came to boxing.

He hopes that now he’s fighting often in the United States and has a manager guiding his way he will find his way to become a contender status at 147 pounds.

Zaina will face Marcelino Lopez tonight at the Whitesands (also known as the ProBox TV) Events Center in Plant City, Florida. The 10-round bout will precede the main event bout between junior lightweights Orlando Gonzalez and Jorge Casteneda.

Both fights will stream live on the ProBox TV YouTube page and app. (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).

Zaina (12-0-1, 8 knockouts) made his U.S. debut in his last fight on June 23, fighting to a majority decision draw against once-beaten Jesus Saracho in a clash of unbeaten prospects. Zaina fought his previous two fights in Colombia, registering back-to-back decision victories.

Fighting abroad is nothing new for Zaina. He was born in Tangier, Morocco before migrating to England, where he became more serious about the fight game, fighting often as an amateur. Enamored with the sport, Zaina moved to Tijuana, Mexico, where he currently lives and trains, prior to making his pro debut in 2020.

The 28-year-old will face a stern test tonight against Lopez (37-3-1, 22 KOs), a fringe contender from Argentina, who suffered a decision loss to unbeaten prospect Orestes Velazquez in his last bout on March 25.

Lopez had won his previous five fights, including a knockout win over Pablo Cesar Cano, since he lost by split-decision to Michael Perez in April 2017.

Manager Ryan Rickey believes Zaina has not yet hit his peak and has the intangibles to make a name for himself in the welterweight division.

“Tarik is ready to have a breakout performance, and on a platform like ProBox TV, he’s ready to announce his name to the boxing world,” Rickey told The Ring Monday. “He will fight anyone, anywhere, and he didn’t hesitate to jump at this opportunity against a tough, battle-tested opponent on short notice.

“Having sacrificed everything to go from the U.K. (United Kingdom) to Tijuana to start his pro career, he’s settled in at the famed Zona Norte Gym and is ready to make a statement on Wednesday night.”

Zona Norte is the same neighborhood where former multi-division world champion Erik Morales grew up.

Reilly also told The Ring Zaina speaks multiple languages and is about to become a father.

Also taking place on the ProBox TV card will be a compelling clash between junior middleweight prospects Marques Valle (9-0, 7 KOs) of Wesley Chapel, Florida and Farid Ogoga (10-0, 6 KOs) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in an eight-round bout.

Amateur standout and Olympic bronze medalist Joahnys Argilagos (9-1, 4 KOs) of Cuba will square off against Mexico’s Jose Lopez (4-2-2) in an eight-round bantamweight bout.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at [email protected]

Follow @FSalazarBoxing

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