Fatuma Zarika.[photo/kenyanstar.co.ke]All eyes will be on world super bantamweight champion Fatuma Zarika this weekend as she seeks to defend her title against Zambian Catherine Phiri. The highlight bout, which will be hosted at the Nairobi Carnivore grounds, is expected to be fiery as both boxers, who have been hard at training, put their efforts to test.
Zarika’s opponent is the immediate former World Boxing Commission bantamweight champion with a record of 12-2 in her favor and is known to possess a fierce jab. Phiri relinquished her title to Mexican Marianna Juarez through a unanimous decision in Mexico City in April.
However, Zarika, who has been honing her skills in Las Vegas, USA is unfazed by Phiri’s pedigree and is relishing the challenge on Saturday. “I have prepared very well and my body feels just right. My coaches and I have worked on important aspects of my game and so this weekend I expect a good show.
Phiri is a fine boxer and I have lots of respect for her but ultimately, the best skills will determine the outcome. I feel confident enough to deliver victory,” said the orthodox styled Zarika, whose last fight was against Tanzanian Flora Machela in February.
Meanwhile, local welterweight sensation James Onyango is also raring to go against his Tanzanian opponent Hassan Mwinyi for the vacant WBC belt. Onyango, who has had a solid season, has been training for the past two months at Kayole Gymnasium with an eye on the bout.
Popularly known as “Onyi”, the Eastlands native has developed into one of the most respected professional boxers on the continent and cannot wait for Saturday. “I want to give all considering I have trained very hard,” he said.