Zarika beats Phiri to retain WBC title

WBC super bantamweight champion Fatuma ‘Iron Fist’ Zarika beat her Zambian challenger, Catherine Phiri on Saturday night to retain her title.

Zarika won after a 3-0 unanimous decision following the fight that was hosted at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.

The judges, Michael Neequaye, Fillemon Mweya and Irene Semakula gave their scores as 98-92 99-91 97-93 sending KICC into a frenzy.

Zarika said that Phiri has had the last chance to snatch the title from her.

The match was a repeat of the December 2, 2017 title contest at the Carnivore Grounds, Nairobi where she carried the day in an explosive fight.

Since then, Zarika went on to deliver a successful defence beating visiting Mexican Yamileth “Yeimi” Mercado in a split points decision on September 8 last year.

Phiri has had three fights, winning all since then.

Phiri once held the WBC World bantamweight title where she defended it once before losing it.

Earlier, Olympian and former AIBA continental welterweight champion, Rayton ‘Boom!Boom’ Okwiri beat seasoned Tanzanian Pascal ‘Prince Kilimanjaro’ Bruno with a third round technical knockout.

In another match, Tanzania boxing sensation, Hassan 'Champez' Mwakinyo beat seasoned Argentine Sergion Eduardo 'El Tigre' Gonzalez to with a fifth round technical knockout.

This was during their men Super Welterweight contest.