Zarika spoiling for ‘Brown Sugar’ bout

By Erick Ochieng

Four world-boxing titles will be on contest at Nairobi’s Charter Hall on Saturday.

World Women International Boxing Federation (WIBF) bantamweight champion, Fatuma Zarika, will defend her title against Puerto Rican, Belinda ‘Brown Sugar’ Laracuente.

The bout will also count towards the Global Boxing Union (GBU) crown.

Kenya’s new kid on the block, Raymond ‘King Kong’ Ochieng, will battle Douglas Chilembe of Zambia for a GBU title.

Ochieng will have an opportunity to own a boxing title for the first in his life should he win the fight.

His compatriots, Nasser Athumani and Judy Waguthi will also make a debut in the GBU title hunt on the material day.

Fatuma Zarika

Athumani fights Kompa Koroma of US while Waguthi duels Nigerian Hellen Joep.

Sensational Zarika, who recently won a court case relating to her nationality, takes on experienced US based Puerto Rican Belinda ‘Brown Sugar’ Laracuente.

Zarika and Laracuente met for the first time yesterday at a press conference convened by bout promoter Caleb Kuya of Osaga promotions, who gave them opportunity to belt out reasons as to why each thinks is the bout’s favourites.

" I have won almost all my fights, this one wont defeat me. I have prepared enough," said Zarika. On the contrary, Laracuente urged fans to come in large numbers to watch her take on Zarika.

"I am so excited to be in Kenya, don’t miss the action on Saturday, make sure you be there," said Laracuente.

Zarika boasts 19 wins including 11 KO, three loses and a draw while Laracuente has 23 wins including nine KO, 2 losses and three draws.

Ochieng, who insisted that nothing is standing between him and the title said ho would go for bigger titles after the event.

"King Kong man has been training from January to December and is therefore waiting to be bathed by the belt on Saturday. After that King Kong will go for bigger and heavier titles," said Ochieng.

The visiting boxers will also have a chance to visit Obama’s ancestral home in Kogelo.

The event is sanctioned by the Kenya Professional Boxing Commissions.

Glance Box

Fatuma Zarika (Kenya) v Belinda Laracuente (USA)-GBU, WIBF featherweight title (10 rounds).

Nasser Athumani (Kenya) v Kompa Koroma (USA)-GBU lightweight title.

Raymond Ochieng (Kenya) v Douglas Chilembe (Zambia)- GBU Cruiserweight title.

Judy Waguthi (Kenya) v Hellen Joep (Nigeria)-GBU featherweight title.

Morris Chule (Kenya) v Daniel Tetteh (Ghana)-GBU Continental title.