Ashley disappointed by fight postponement

"Disappointed and very, very frustrated." That was how former World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight champion Alicia 'Slick' Ashley described her feelings following the postponement of her return fight with Fatuma Zarika, which was scheduled to take place in Houston,Texas, on Saturday night.

When she put her title on the line last October 1, in Flint, Michigan, there was a return-fight clause in place if she lost. She did lose by split decision, and after several weeks of negotiation, it was agreed the return fight would have taken place last night.

Ashley told The Gleaner that she took the fight so seriously that she left cold New York, where she lives, for the warmth of Florida in early January and trained hard for a month.

"A few weeks ago, I heard various stories which suggested that there could possibly be a postponement, but I hoped that this would not happen. It did, however, and what I am told is that Fatuma, who is from Kenya, is having visa problems trying to get back to the USA, so this has forced a postponement," Ashley said. "I worked so hard and, believe me, I was ready."

Ashley said that she had a really good camp and was in much better condition now, than she was in October.

"It would have been a great fight," she added. "I want back my title and I hope that my promoter can get a new date soon."