Catherine Phiri will face a new opponent, Rehema Abdalla, from Tanzania in the October 19 non-title international bout.

This follows the injury of her initial opponent Yarkor Annan of Ghana who has been ruled out of actions for weeks.

Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQPB) manager Christopher Malunga said during a press briefing at National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC) in Lusaka Tuesday, that handlers for the Ghanaian boxer communicated to his stables over the injury.

Malunga said Abdallah was one of the two boxers who were on standby.

The other boxer on standby was South African Unathi Myekeni, but Malunga said they opted for the Tanzanian due to security reasons.

“We opted to go for the Tanzanian because of xenophobia in South Africa. We made that decision for security reasons. Abdallah is a good boxer, she is yet to record a loss and we feel she is the best opponent for Catherine,” he said.

Abdallah has a record of eight wins and a draw.

Malunga said the fight is important because it will help Catherine prepare for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title fight with the winner between Kenya’s Fatuma Zarika and Yamileth Mercado of Mexico.

Alfred Muwowo will fight Tanzanian Juma Fundi in the flyweight non-title main supporting bout.

Other supporting bouts will see OQPB’s Remmy Simbeye take on Joseph Simbeye of Mitanda in a five-bout lightweight non-title while Davy Mwale will be up against Evergreen’s Philemon Hara in a bantamweight bout.

Mombelela Mukuni will face Bernard Mwango in a lightweight bout while Interxity Boxing Academy has sponsored two bouts that will have Mitanda’s Bernard Sepe up against Davy Tshibangu in a bantamweight fight, with welterweight Catherine Mulyata facing Naomi Mwaba.