Fatuma Zarika, the World Boxing Council Super Bantamweight title holder revealed that she deliberately lost her title to Mexico's Yamileth Mercado in the Saturday, November 16 boxing match.
Zarika accused the Kenyan government of neglecting her and the sport and added that she has no apology for what she did.
"Nataka kuambia mashabiki wangu hakuna mtu yeyote napatia pole, najua kitu ambacho nimefanya na siombi msamaha kwa mtu yeyote, (I'm telling my fans that I'm not apologising to anyone. I know what I did and I owe no one an apology)," Zarika stated in a video recording.
The mother of two in her lament, further stated that she received no assistance from the government when she clinched the WBC super bantamweight title.
"Nimekaa na hiyo belt miaka nne. Na hakuna kitu mzuri ishaikuja except SportPesa. Government haitaki kushughulika, afadhali mshipi ibaki Mexico, mahali ambapo watai take care,
(for four years, I've been the holder of that title and the only good thing I've received was the help from Sportpesa. So its better if the belt stays in Mexico where its government can take good care of the belt and the holder of the title)," Zarika added.
Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) Secretary-General Frankline Imbenzi told K24 digital that Zarika felt slighted and unappreciated by the Kenyan government.
“I am with Zarika and she has told me straight to my face she wanted the belt to remain in Mexico. She felt not appreciated after her main sponsor withdrew support and also the government lied to her until last minute,” Imbenzi stated.
21-year-old Mercado was declared the winner after a unanimous decision by the judges who scored 99-91, 98-92, 99-91 in her favour.
The Sunday 17, the rematch was the second time Zarika and Mercado faced off. 34-year-old Zarika beat Mercado in a controversial split-point decision on September 8, 2018, in Nairobi.
