WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Fatuma Zarika Heads to UK to Train for September 8th Defense with Yamileth Mercado in Kenya

From WBC:

Zarika ‘Iron Fist’ flies to UK for Mercado preparations
By Oliver Morgan

World Boxing Council (WBC) Super bantamweight champion from Kenya, Fatuma ‘Iron Fist’ Zarika is starting intense training in Great Britain.

The training overseas, courtesy of her partners and leading bookmakers SportPesa, is in preparation for her title-defending bout against Mexican Yamileth Mercado set for September 8 in Nairobi.

This will be Zarika’s first trip to the UK. She is focused on making the most of the opportunity, to improve her boxing skills and gain knowledge to be able to overcome her worthy opponent.

“I will be in the UK until September 1 preparing for the big fight,” the 34-year old professional boxer said, adding: “I have never been to the UK and I am grateful to everyone who believes in me enough to make this trip possible. I promise not to let any one of them down, as I prepare for the bout against Mercado.”

Zarika has not been in the ring competitively since December when she defeated Zambian Catherine Phiri by unanimous points decision to defend her WBC Super bantamweight title at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi.

Zarika won the brutal bout on unanimous points decision after she scored 97-92, 98-91 and 99-92 from the three international judges who presided over the fight.

Zarika has never met her opponent Mercado but has gained a substantial amount of knowledge concerning her strengths and weaknesses, stressing: “I don’t know her personally, but I have watched her YouTube videos and I can tell she is a really good boxer.

“I have seen which areas of my boxing need to improve and that will be my main focus as I go into the next two months of training. We will welcome Mercado to Kenya. This country is full of good and loving people but I would urge her to be very prepared for the fight because I will ready!”

The exemplary victory over Phiri in December saw her bestowed Head of State Commendation (HSC) honour by President Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya celebrated her 54th Jamhuri Day on December 12.

‘Iron Fist’ as she`s affectionately, yet respectfully known due to her weighty right hook, is confident of a good fight in September and is relishing the fact that it will be at home. She urges all Kenyan boxing fans to come and show their support as one of their own battles it out to defend the title.