Zarika To Take Up Coaching, Promotion Upon Retirement

9th September 2018

The WBC Super Bantamweight champion scored 94-96, 97-93 and 99-91 against Yamileth ‘Yeimi’ Mercado of Mexico to successfully defend the title on Saturday night

World Boxing Council (WBC) Women Super Bantamweight champion,Fatuma ‘Iron Fist’ Zarika , celebrates her second successful title defence with Jakob Kristensen, Global Chief Operations Officer, SportPesa (blue top) and Kenya Professional Boxing Commission Vice Chairman, George Adipo (right) at the KICC in Nairobi on September 8, 2018.PHOTO/SPN
World Boxing Council (WBC) Women Super Bantamweight champion,Fatuma ‘Iron Fist’ Zarika , celebrates her second successful title defence with Jakob Kristensen, Global Chief Operations Officer, SportPesa (blue top) and Kenya Professional Boxing Commission Vice Chairman, George Adipo (right) at the KICC in Nairobi on September 8, 2018.PHOTO/SPN
SUMMARY
  • World Boxing Council (WBC) Women Super Bantamweight champion, Fatuma ‘Iron Fist’ Zarika has planned to retire from the trade in 2020
  • She defeated Yamileth Mercado of Mexico  on split-points decision, scoring 94-96, 97-93 and 99-91 to emerge champion of the tough 10 round contest in her second title defence on  Saturday night
  • She will now  rest for three months before she embarks on serious training as she looks forward to defending the belt for the third time in a row in 2019
  • Mercado, 20, said she does not mind a re-match with Zarika if an opportunity presents itself again especially in Mexico

NAIROBI, Kenya- World Boxing Council (WBC) Women's Super Bantamweight champion, Fatuma ‘Iron Fist’ Zarika hinted she has two years left to fight before hanging her gloves in 2020.

She made this announcement after successfully defending her belt for the second time against Yamileth ‘Yeimi’ Mercado of Mexico at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Saturday night.

“I can’t box forever. My idea is to be a coach after I hang my gloves and also become a promoter to fight for the rights of boxers,” she underlined.

Zarika defeated Mercado via split-point decision, scoring 94-96, 97-93 and 99-91 to emerge champion of the tough 10 round contest.

“I’m dedicating this victory to my sponsors SportPesa. They gave me a rare opportunity to train for the bout in Liverpool.

“Without this support, this title would have remained vacant by today,” she underscored.

Zarika admitted Mercado was a tough nut to crack but revealed the secret to her win over the resilient Mexican.

“I was not expecting Mercado to stage such a show, for the fact that she comes from Cautemhoc which is a low altitude area of Mexico.

Boxing career

“I used the first four rounds to gauge her style. I discovered that she could not take punches in the stomach so I kept on hitting the area repeatedly.

“This got her panting and she was gasping for breath. She got tired and I had my way,” Zarika highlighted.

Following her conquest, Zarika will rest for three months before embarking on training for another title defense next year.

“My desire is to keep the belt as soon as possible. The WBC rules state that a belt has to be defended in six months after victory, so I'm waiting for a word from my sponsors and promoter on this issue.

“In the meantime, I will engage in several non-title fights to help me step up training ahead of my next title defence,” she stated.

Zarika held on to her WBC crown on December 2, 2017 in a bloody bout against Catherine Phiri of Zambia  at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi following a unanimous points decision in her favor.

Mercado, 20, said she does not mind a re-match with Zarika if an opportunity presents itself again.

“I knew I was going to win but the fight really became tough in the ring, but it would be nice to revenge against her especially in Mexico.

“I’m still young, I have my entire boxing career ahead of me, so I believe that one I day I shall win this title,” stressed Mercado.