(MAY 21) TUCSON, Arizona
(May 21, 2019) - Tunisia native and mother of two, Ikram Kerwat,
headlines this Thursday evening for her first time in the
initial female main event streamed on RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT
PASS®, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, live from
Casino Del Sol's outdoor AVA
Amphitheater in Tucson, Arizona. Kerwat (9-1, 5 KOs), fighting
out of Frankfurt, Germany, throws-down with 9-time world title
challenger Simone DaSilva (15-12, 6 KOs), of Brazil, in the
10-round main event for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC)
female super featherweight championship.
Kerwat vs. DaSilva is presented by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing
Promotions and Kerwat is trained by living legend and 10-time
world champion Roy Jones, Jr.
"Ikram is an exciting fighter with awesome power and good hand
speed," Jones evaluated his protege. "She's always looking to
improve, and I look forward to her next voyage towards a world
title."
The 35-year-old Kerwat is a former WBC International female
lightweight champion, who will be fighting in the United States
for the fourth time as a pro boxer. "Fighting in the U.S. was
always one of my biggest dreams," she commented. "It's amazing.
I already have a fanbase and they are really awesome. I like the
enthusiasm and positive energy of U.S. people.
"This is my first main event and I can't wait to step into the
ring. To be live streamed on UFC FIGHT PASS is very important to
me, my fans and, of course, my family. My last fight was also
live streamed on FIGHT PASS and it was amazing. I'm happy and
thankful for that.
"I want to give a big shout out to my family and my coach and
promoter, Roy Jones, Jr., his wonderful wife, Natlyn Jones, and,
of course, the RJJ Promotions team for this opportunity and
their kindness."
A pro since 2015, Kerwat first met Jones at the WBC Convention
three years ago in Miami. "It's an honor for me to lean from a
legendary boxer like Roy," she added. "He's a boxing guru!
Before I met Roy, I was a brawler, more of an aggressive
fighter. Now, I'd say I learned to skillfully box. I've made a
lot of improvements and I developed more, boxing-wise. I grew
mentally, which is the most important part in boxing and life."
Da Silva may have fought in nine world titles fights, but Ikram
doesn't feel that she's at a disadvantage because of her
opponent's edge in quality experience. "My opponent is
experienced, but this means nothing to me," she remarked. "I
fear nobody, but I respect all boxers who step in the ring. I do
not underestimate anyone, nothing more, and nothing less. I
don't look at her, I look at myself. This is only thing I have
control over. I do my job, live my dream, and I have fun doing
it. I enjoy every single minute of it. This next step is very
important for us. Every single fight brings me a step closer to
my goal, which means that every single fight is significant for
my career. Fights like this even more so."
Although she had only three amateur matches, including a gold
medal performance in the Berlin Championships and taking bronze
in the German Championships, Ikram is positioning herself for a
world title fight in the not too distant future, assuming she
gets past Da Silva.
