This archive report was first published on 17 November 2019.
On November 17, 2019, Kenyan boxer Fatuma Zarika lost her World Boxing Council Super Bantamweight title to Mexican opponent Yamileth Mercado in a highly anticipated rematch at the Poliforo in Ciudad Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Mercado won the fight via unanimous decision with scores of 99-91, 98-92, and 99-91, improving her record to 13 wins and 2 losses from 21 bouts.
Following her defeat, Zarika made a shocking statement in a video that went viral on social media, claiming that she intentionally lost the match due to the government's lack of support after she won the title in Nairobi last year.
According to Zarika, she had been holding the title for four years but received little to no assistance from the government, except for help from SportPesa. She stated, 'For four years, I've held the title and the only good thing I've received was the help from Sportpesa. So, it’s better the belt remains in Mexico where their government can take good care of the belt and the holder of the title,'
However, Zarika has been given a privilege of a rematch against Mercado in 90 days as stipulated in their contract signed before the bout.
When Zarika lifted the title last year, it was her second title defence fight, having earlier beaten Phiri (Catherine) on December 2, 2017, before they met again on March 23 in the Kenyan capital city where Zarika won on unanimous points’ decision.
