NAIROBI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan professional boxer Fatuma Zarika will put her belt on the line when she faces Yamileth Mercado from Mexico in a WBC female bantamweight fight in Nairobi next month.
Zarika, nicknamed 'Iron Fist', will be facing her second opponent in two years since she won the title back in early 2017. In December, she beat Zambian Catherine Phiri to retain the title. However, she will have to be at her best if she wants to beat Mercado on Sept 9.
"I have nothing to hold back. I will give it my best shot. Currently I am in London training and will be back to defend my title," said Zarika.
The 33-year-old is holding a one month training camp in Liverpool and will be back in Nairobi on Sept 1 for the final preparation for the fight.
"I haven't stopped training since my successful title defense in December. I have watched Mercado's videos and what I need to do is to continue polishing my defense," she added.
Mercado last fought on June 1 in Hermosillo, Mexico where she beat her compatriot Beatriz Arangure by unanimous decision.
In 2016, Zarika beat Jamaican and WBC defending champion Alicia Ashley to win the super bantamweight title. She became the second Kenyan female professional boxer to hold a world title after Sarah Atieno who currently holds the UBO super featherweight champion. Zarika's record stands at 29 wins, two draws and 12 losses.
Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) vice chairman George Adipo said alongside Zarika's big fight, there will be other undercard bouts for emerging boxers. World Boxing Council super lightweight champion Judy Waguthii and middleweight fighter Rayton Okwiri will have bouts lined up against different opponents.
