Kenyan female boxer Fatuma Zarika on Sunday, November 17, lost her WBC super bantamweight championship after falling to her Mexico rival Yamileth “Yeimi” Mercado.
“Yeimi” was in command all the way and won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92 to become the thirteenth Mexican female ever to hold a world title belt. Zarika was never in control and deservedly lost the title she had held for four years.
After the match, Zarika lashed out at the Kenyan government for failing to support her especially after the withdrawal of sponsorship by giant betting firm SportPesa. She claimed she has not received any form of support during her preparations and that cost her her title.
“I will not apologize to anyone for losing. I have been working on my own since Sportpesa left. No one has supported me in any means whatsoever. I have been with the belt fo =r four years but honestly, I would rather it stays in Mexico because at least there it will well taken care of. There, sportsmen and women are appreciated, unlike back home in Kenya,” an irritated Zarika said.
Kenyan Sports has been hit by hard times since Sportpesa closed its operations in the country due to a tax row with the government. The firm withdrew all sponsorships it had in Kenya including in the Kenya Premier League and with the Rugby Union Of Kenya.
Fatuma Zarika after losing to Yamileth Mercado of Mexico yesterday. #TheScoreKE pic.twitter.com/2O14tzo6gr
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) November 17, 2019