Against All Odds: The Fatuma Zarika Story- Part 6
5th September 2018
In 2008, with her professional career taking shape, she participated in one of the toughest fights in her career
- In 2008, Zarika participated in what she terms as one of the toughest fights in her career against Belinda '‘Brown Sugar’ Laracuente
- Another opponent that sent chills down her number one fan and daughter Sophia’s spine was yet another female boxer from Puerto Rico, Amanda Serrano in 2015
- Four months later, it was announced that Zarika was to face Serrano yet again, this time in Westbury, New York
- Zarika was on the receiving end as Serrano landed a power punch on her chest sending her sprawling to the canvas in one of the rounds on her way to completing an unanimous decision victory
NAIROBI, Kenya- Only three days are left until Fatuma 'Iron Fist' Zarika enters the ring to defend her WBC World Super Bantamweight title against Yamileth Mercado at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) in Nairobi.
Her Mexican challenger jetted into the country on Tuesday morning brimming confidence as she prepares to enter the biggest fight of her embryonic boxing career.
In the sixth part of her series with SportPesa News, Zarika, 34, lays out details of the challenges she has had to face in the ring in her ascent to the pinnacle of the World Boxing Council Super Bantamweight title.
The previous parts entails her
beginning, hardships,
her
way out, the
journey and the
sinking feeling as her boxing career took off from the mean estates of Nairobi to the apex of her sport.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
In 2008, Zarika participated in what she believes if one of the toughest fights in her career.
She squared up against Belinda 'Brown Sugar' Laracuente at the Charter Hall in Nairobi for the interim World International Boxing Federation World Super Bantamweight title.
Though many believed that she did not stand a chance against the Puerto Rican, she proved all her doubters wrong with an astounding victory, sending local fans in attendance into a frenzy.
Another opponent that sent chills down both Zarika and her number one fan, daughter Sophia’s spine was yet another Puerto Rican, Amanda Serrano in 2015.
When the umpire signaled for the start of the fight, both women locked horns from the get go.
Zarika was on the receiving end as Serrano landed a power punch on her chest sending her sprawling to the canvas in one of the rounds on her way to completing an unanimous decision victory.
Four months later, it was announced that Zarika was to face Serrano yet again, this time in Westbury, New York.
She hit the ground running and stepped up her training as she had her eyes set on getting revenge against the only women's boxer to win world titles in five weight divisions.
This was not to be as Zarika went down yet again to Serrano on September 10, 2015 in what marks her last defeat to date.
On October 1, 2016, the eminent Kenyan boxer arrived in Flint, Michigan to challenge veteran Alicia Ashley for the WBC World Super Bantamweight crown.
Ashley was expected to make short of the Kenyan who had struggled to raise the air ticket and accommodation to honour the fight, having been offered no purse for the bout.
Her task was simple, show up, get beaten and add the number of victims to the Jamaican boxing queen's record.
It was a leap of faith that was to define her career, turning her into a journey woman fighter into the global force she is today when she shocked the Jamaican on a split decision to become the first Kenyan to clinch a WBC- the gold standard in the five global boxing promotions- title.
Such was the stunning nature of her victory that local media, who had dismissed her challenge as an exercise in futility, took over 24 hours to announce the news to the nation.
On her return home, Zarika who left without anyone barely taking notice had suddenly become the hottest property on the sporting landscape, her rise against all odds complete.