Kenya’s Fatuma Zarika will take to the ring on Saturday, September 8th at the KICC, in a WBC female bantamweight fight against Yamileth Mercado from Mexico.
This will be the second fight in two years since she won the title in early 2017. Zarika, nicknamed 'Iron Fist' beat Zambian Catherine Phiri at the Carnivore in 2017 to retain the title, which will be on the line on Sunday.
Mercado last fought on June 1 in Hermosillo, Mexico where she beat her compatriot Beatriz Arangure by unanimous decision. Zarika stands a good chance of beating her opponent this weekend, and we look at the reasons why she will emerge victorious.
1. She has a winning streak
Zarika has been in the ring several times and has had good shows in the last couple of years. She last lost a match in 2015, and has ever since won all her matches. Zarika won her World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title on 1st October 2016 when she defeated American boxer, Alicia Ashley.
2. Zarika has never lost a fight at home
Fatuma has been exceptional when fighting at home, and the closes she came to a loss was in 2003 against Conjestina Achieng, in a match that ended in a draw.
3. Experienced fighter
Zarika started her career in in 2003. She has fought a total of 43 fights. The Kenyan boxer has won 29 fights, lost 12 and drew 2. Zarika has fought several international boxers from America and Europe in her boxing career.