Crunch time at Carnivore as Zarika takes on Machela

Kenya’s Fatuma Zarika will use her bout against Flora Machela of Tanzania on Saturday at the Carnivore to prepare for her World Boxing Council (WBC) world super bantamweight title defence.

Zarika is due to take on Jamaican Alicia Ashley in a mandatory WBC world title defence on April 23, this year in Nairobi in a clash that will be promoted by American firm Bigger Than Life Entertainment.

Zarika dethroned Ashley of the WBC title in a split points decision on October 1 last year in Michigan, USA. However, Zarika’s handlers had signed a contract giving the Jamaican a rematch in case she lost.

Bigger Than Life Entertainment chief executive officer Ejay Mathews on Thursday said they will not succumb to pressure to have Zarika’s title defence take place in the USA since it’s the world champion who dictates terms and conditions.

“This is the right opportunity to have Zarika defend her title at home and I believe it will make a lot of sense to have her fight here than in the USA,” said Mathews after unveiling Zarika, who will be part of the “Making of the Champion” (Mac) Series’ seven bouts card on Saturday at the Carnivore grounds.

“We want to make Nairobi the ‘Las Vegas’ of boxing in Africa and Zarika’s bout will resonate well with our plans that are geared towards reviving professional boxing in the region.”

Mathews said boxers have dedicated their lives to the sport and must be treated and paid well. “We are committed to that course,” said Matthews, who was accompanied by Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) president Hillary Alila.

Zarika, who has been training at the Nyayo National Gymnasium under coach Omar Kasongo - a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, said she is ready for her two bouts.

Zarika, who has 28 wins, 12 loses and two draws (28-12-2) under her belt, will take on Machela in the eight-round rematch. They will be meeting for the second time with Zarika having knocked out the Tanzanian in the first round in July 2010.

“I have prepared well for Machela and I can’t wait to face Ashley again,” said the 31-year-old Zarika.

In other bouts, national heavyweight champion Maurice Okolla will exchange blows with Alick Gogodo in a 10 rounds heavyweight contest while Kenya’s welterweight champion James Onyango will take on Ugandan Patrick Atuhairwe also in 10 rounds contest.

The winners will take a shot at the Africa Boxing Union (ABU) title fight during Zarika’s WBC title defence.

Saturday’s Bigger Than Life Entertainment card:

1. Welterweight:-James Onyango (Kenya) v Patrick Atuhairwe (Uganda) 10 rounds 2. Heavyweight:- Maurice Okolla (Kenya) v Alick Gogodo (Malawi) 10 rounds 3. Super Featherweight:- David Rajuli (South Africa) v Cosmas Cheka

(Tanzania) 10 rounds

4. Super middleweight:- Daniel Wanyonyi (Kenya) v Karama Nyilawila