Walid Ouizza

Walid Ouizza is a French professional boxer born on July 11, 1991. He competes in the super lightweight division and fights out of Saint-Ouen, Seine-Saint-Denis, France. Although his amateur career was brief, it was marked by notable achievements. In 2013, he was the runner-up at the Golden Gloves Vistula tournament and reached the quarter-finals of the French National Championships. He also represented France in various international competitions during this time. Ouizza concluded his amateur career with 7 bouts, achieving a knockout rate of 33.33%.

Ouizza made his professional boxing debut on January 8, 2016, against Jeremy Lauret at Salle Vallier in Marseille, France. He secured a unanimous decision victory over Lauret, who entered the ring with a record of 0 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw. In the early stages of his career, Ouizza experienced two narrow losses by points decision within his first ten fights. He captured the French super-lightweight title in June 2021 with a second-round stoppage victory. In 2023, he claimed the European Union title via a split decision against the previously unbeaten Alejandro Moya in Barcelona. Later that year, he became the inaugural EBU Silver super-lightweight champion and added the WBC Francophone title to his accolades in July 2024. However, on January 25, 2025, Ouizza faced Dalton Smith for the vacant EBU European Super Lightweight Title, where he was defeated by first-round TKO, marking his third professional loss.

Saint-Ouen blends its industrial past with modern urban development. The Grand Parc des Docks, a 12-hectare green space inaugurated in 2013, offers residents a serene environment with expansive lawns, playgrounds, and water features. The area also boasts a vibrant arts scene, with street art adorning many of its walls. Growing up in this eclectic environment, Ouizza was likely influenced by the community’s historical charm and contemporary vibrancy.

Walid Ouizza is a leader in the French boxing community, known for his unique approach to the sport, drawing comparisons to the main character from Hajime no Ippo. His style incorporates elements of the famous Dempsey Roll, a technique made famous by the legendary Jack Dempsey, where a fighter uses a combination of head and upper body movement to generate power and unpredictability while walking their opponent down. Ouizza’s version of the Dempsey Roll is fluid and aggressive, constantly moving forward while maintaining his defense, using his body motion to throw off his opponent’s timing and pressure them with calculated shots.

Despite the seemingly awkward nature of his guard, Ouizza is a fundamentalist at heart. His movements may appear unconventional, but they are grounded in solid boxing principles. His awkward guard and the continuous loop of his movement and punches might seem chaotic to some, but it works because he always keeps his defense intact while breaking the rhythm of his opponent. His guard might not be textbook, but it serves him well in maintaining pressure and creating openings, allowing him to land clean punches while staying unpredictable. This is especially effective in breaking down an opponent’s defenses, as Ouizza shifts between aggressive and defensive stances seamlessly.

What sets Ouizza apart is his ability to pick his moments like a touch fighter in Taekwondo, scoring points and taking calculated risks when the time is right. His European-style flow allows him to control the tempo, making adjustments based on his opponent’s movements. Whether he’s using the Dempsey Roll to wear down his opponent or adjusting his stance to control the pace of the fight, Ouizza’s ability to read the ring and control distance makes him a dangerous and elusive fighter. He blends the awkwardness of his movement with a sharp understanding of timing and fundamentals, always looking for the right moments to strike and outmaneuver his opponent.