Fuming Kenyan Boxer Fatuma Zarika Blames Gov’t as She Surrenders WBC Title in Mexico
Celebrated Kenyan boxer Fatuma Zarika has decried a lack of support from the government after she failed to defend her title on Sunday.
Fatuma surrendered her World Boxing Council Super Bantamweight belt to Mexican Yamileth Mercado during the fight held on Sunday morning at Poliforo in Ciudad Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Mercado won on a unanimous decision on the scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92 to triumph Zarika, who held the title for four years.
In a video released online after the defeat, an irritated Zarika confessed to throwing in the towel in the fight, saying that it was better for the belt to go to Mexico where their government supports them, rather than in Kenya where no one cares about how she survives.
“I know what I have done and I am not apologizing to anybody. When I won the belt, I did not have anybody on my side, I was alone” said Zarika in a video that has since gone viral.
She said only betting company SportPesa has supported her in the past few years. SportPesa, who were her sponsors, has since closed down its operations in Kenya due to unfavorable policies enacted by the government.
“Since Sportpesa exited, nobody has come to hold my hands. It is better for the belt to remain in Mexico because they will take care of it and the government supports them (Sportspersons). I have no apology because I am the one who knows the pain I am going through” she said.
This was the second WBC fight between the two having first fought in September last year in Nairobi where Zarika triumphed in a split point decision. Zarika had previously won twice against Catherine Phiri of Zambia.
Comments (12)
Shame on you Fatuma. Right thinking people never support a woman's game that Naturally or Strictly is meant for men and Men only (not women). Boxing is not for women, marathon is not for women, legball (subliminal soccer) is not for women, basketball is not for women, and even wrestling is not for women. In other words: To hell with recipes for Lesbianism or Beard and Barechested women.
well, you sound like a male chauvinist man. That being said, she should accept the fact that she lost. wacha excuses.
And you're Prince Charming; Charming the Uncharmables; the homies.
Hehehe
Thats a lie she did not throw the fight She lost the fight.its like Brigid kosgey losing the marathon title and blaming the government. When you are a world champion, you make the call.You are now controlled by an international agency.The more you win,the more you make.The government helping you at this level is just a bonus.You dont go full distance and claim you threw the fight...
Thats a lie she did not throw the fight She lost the fight.its like Brigid kosgey losing the marathon title and blaming the government. When you are a world champion, you make the call.You are now controlled by an international agency.The more you win,the more you make.The government helping you at this level is just a bonus.You dont go full distance and claim you threw the fight...
Fatuma did the right thing.
Dada usikate tamaa. Umetoka mbali na umefanya mengi ya ajabu. Hakuna Jambo rahisi humu duniani.Kuwa mjasiri. Vile ulivioenda mapamboni ulikua hujui kama ungeshinda ama ushindwe. Usijali sana swala la uthamini. Jiamini kwa thati na utafaulu. Vikwazo viko tena vingi duniani humu. Iwapo unajiamini unaweza ukashinda mapambano kwanzia akilini mwako kisha mengine yatafwata.
Eti 'dada' usikate tamaa. The fighter to the left looks Dude and a Man for real. Something is not right with some Kenyan women of today. Conjestina gone nuts there; and Fatuma about to here!
Fatima you are 100% right for blaming the Gov't... and Kenyan people..no reason for defending the title while you ain't got any supporters.
She is not representing Kenya... in Olympics.She is a professional boxer. Meaning she goes where the money isThat's how she makes aliving. The government has nothing to do with this.
Its her job to fight and make aliving out of it.If she performs poorly, she risks losing future income. So its up to her to do well for herself ,and family...Just like Eliud Kipchoge. He runs for himself and his family. Its up to him to do well so that he can continue enjoying the pecks that come with being a "world champion".
Av not done with exploring yet