FORMER World Boxing Council (WBC) Champion Catherine Phiri is set to fight Mexican boxer Yamileth Mercado in a WBC Women’s World Super bantamweight elimination bout.
The winner of this challenge will face off with defending champion Fatuma Zarika of Kenya.
Catherine earlier in March challenged Zarika and lost on points. And earlier in December 2018, Mercado also lost her bid to topple Zarika but both Catherine’s and Mercado’s promoters wrote to WBC requesting for rematches.
Among the reasons for the rematch that both promoters cited included exclusion of the mandatory doping test by Zarika’s camp.
But in their ruling, the WBC Women’s Championship Committee requested for an elimination bout between the two contenders with the winner securing an absolute chance to fight for the title again.
“After reviewing all reports and circumstances, the WBC Women’s Championship Committee made the following decisions: the WBC orders a Final Elimination bout between Catherine Phiri and Yamileth Mercado to determine the next mandatory challenger for Fatuma Zarika,” WBC stated.
“Because of reported irregularities regarding the anti-doping tests in Kenya, the WBC will officially issue a warning to the Kenyan Boxing Commission and guarantee that there will be testing for all future championship fights in Kenya; anti-doping tests are mandatory for all fights sanctioned by the WBC.”
WBC further advised promoters for the two contenders to start preparations for the fight.
“We hereby kindly ask you to start free negotiations to find an agreement regarding the conditions for this important championship fight,” stated WBC.
Meanwhile, Malunga, said his boxer was already getting ready for the fight and assured the fans that he would make sure it is held in the country.
He proposed August 31 as the date for the fight.
“I can assure all the Zambians that I will put up the best bid for this fight. I want it to be here at the government complex. This will be a good fight for the Zambians to watch. Catherine is aiming to go and fight Zarika and this fight is a must win for her,” said Malunga.
