. Phiri
By SANDRA MWILA –
ZAMBIA’S female boxing sensation, Catherine Phiri says she is not intimidated with the fighting record of World Boxing Council (WBC) gold bantamweight champion, Yazim Rivas.
WBC has sanctioned a mandatory title fight for the gold bantamweight title between Catherine and holder, Rivas of Mexico.
This comes after Irish Christina McMahon, the WBC silver champion, declined a rematch against the Zambian.
Catherine said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that she would prepare adequately for her dream fight against Rivas.
“I am not scared of Rivas she might be the WBC gold champion but I am not fighting her record but her, I will prepare,” she said.
Catherine said her dream had always been to fight Rivas and that she was happy WBC had finally given her that opportunity.
She predicted a tough fight but that she would be equal to the task as her manager and coach would put in their best to prepare her for the bout.
“The fight will be tough. Rivas is good but I am happy I will be fighting a champion. Figting a champion is never easy,” she said.
For her to grab the belt, Catherine said she needed to beat Rivas convincingly because it takes a lot to be crowned champion.
The Zambian also said she had gotten over her controversial loss to McMahon earlier this year.
WBC ordered a rematch between the two but McMahon refused to fight Catherine and has been stripped of the WBC silver belt.
