Zambian boxer Catherine Phiri has arrived in Nairobi full of confidence ahead of her title bout against World Boxing Council Super Bantamweight champion Fatuma Zarika on Saturday.
She was accompanied by her trainer Michael Zulu and promoter Christopher Malunga when she jetted into the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at Wednesday morning for a second run at the coveted world title.
Phiri and Zarika will take to the ring for a second time at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) on Saturday in a highly anticipated event dubbed ‘Nairobi Fight Night’.
World champion Zarika returned to the country on March 16 following a month-long training stint in the United Kingdom under the watchful eye of trainer Declan O’Rourke and support of former World Cruiserweight Champion, Tony Bellew.
“I am well prepared for the fight and I have no doubt that I will put on a good show on Saturday,” the 32-year old Phiri said.
“I’m satisfied with the training that I have been doing and having worked on the mistakes I made the last time, I am confident I will win the fight,” she added.
The two fighters will trade fists for a second time in 15 months after Zarika outlasted her in 10 rounds to retain her WBC title at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, December 2, 2017.
Phiri, who beat Mexican Yazmin Rivers in 2016 to be crowned WBC bantamweight champion, lost the close contest through a unanimous point decision of 97-92, 98-91 and 99-92 from the three international judges.
“I haven’t come for anything less than the belt and Zarika should know that.
Tickets for the Nairobi Fight Night are on sale on mookh.com, with regular tickets going for Ksh1,000 and VIP at Ksh3,000.