WBC orders Catherine Phiri, Zarika rematch

THE World Boxi ng Council (WB C) has ordered for a rematch between Catherine Phiri and Fatuma Zarika for the super bantamweigh t gol d title belt.

On December 3, 2017, Zarika edged Catherine on unanimous points to retain the title on home soil.

Zarika was badly damaged on the face and the Kenyan doctor was called twice, but still preferred not to stop the fight at the expense of the boxer¶s health, to him, the title was more important,” he said.

2riental 4uarries %oxing Promotions Operations manager Christopher Malunga disclosed at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that WBC ordered for a rematch following an appeal by OQBP.

Malunga said in the case of &atherine and =arika fight last December, the Kenyan doctor showed some level of biasness by deciding not to stop the match even when Zarika was badly injured.

“I feel WBC must appoint independent doctors to officiate bouts to aYoid any biasness. This is one issue I will raise at the forth-coming conference as it kills the purpose of the fight.

He expressed happiness that WBC ordered for a rematch and was positive Catherine will get the belt.

He added that he will appeal to WBC to begin appointing independent doctors to officiate bouts to aYoid biasness.

Malunga said the date of the fight would be announced once the bidding process between the two camps was finalised.

He said OQBP was putting in everything to ensure they won the bid to host the match in Zambia.

He announced a K795, 000 budget which he said was already receiving a good response from various corporate entities.

Malunga also disclosed that Charles Manyuchi was set to fight in Russia on $ugust 18 with an opponent to be announced by Friday.

Meanwhile, Catherine who has been elevated from bantamweight to super bantamweight (54kg to 55kg) predicted a tough fight against Zarika.

³=arika is a tough boxer, it will not be an easy match. The good part is that I now know her weaknesses and strengths,” she said. Catherine Phiri