Esther Phiri

Last updated
Esther Phiri
Born (1987-06-14) June 14, 1987 (age 36)
Lusaka, Zambia
Nationality Zambian
Statistics
Weight(s) Bantam weight
Boxing record
Total fights19
Wins14
Wins by KO5
Losses1
Draws3
No contests1

Esther Phiri (born June 14, 1987) is a Former World Female Boxing Champion Zambian boxer. Esther was stripped of her title after her retirement. [1] Esther is the first female Zambian boxer to get international recognition and accolades. She became world champion after defeating Belinda Laracuente. [2]

Contents

Biography

Phiri was still a teenager when, after the death of her father, she made a living selling fruit and vegetables. She became a mother at age 16. Boxing was a way for her to escape poverty and support her own child, and the children of her older sister, who had died. [3] She was encouraged by Anthony Mwamba, a former boxer she met in 2003. [3] [4] Her first fight was in 2005. She won the GBU (Global Boxing Union) intercontinental belt for lightweights on June 30, 2007, at the expense of Radostina Valcheva and then retained it by beating Belinda Laracuente on 1 December 2007. [5] The following year, she won the same belt but in the lower super-featherweight class.

Phiri became WIBA welterweight world champion after beating Duda Yankovich, May 29, 2010. Other important fights won by this boxer are those against Lely Luz Florez, in 2011, and Monalisa Sibanda, in 2012. [6] She also invests in real estate. [7]

Documentary film

The documentary film Between Rings , released in 2014, was created by her cousin Jessie Chisi. It tells Phiri's story, how she left her marriage to pursue a career in boxing, and remains torn between her own goals and her family and societal expectations. [8]

Professional boxing record

19 fights14 wins1 loss
By knockout50
By decision91
Draws3
No contests1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
19Draw14-1-3Sandra AlmeidaTD3 (10)2015-05-22Government Complex, Lusakainterim Women's International Boxing Association World Welterweight Title
18Win14-1-2Everline OderoPTS8 (10)2014-12-20Chez-Ntemba, Lusaka
17Win13-1-2Monalisa SibandaKO7 (10)2012-02-17Mulungushi Conference Centre, LusakaInternational Boxing Organization World Female Super Lightweight Title

Women's International Boxing Association World Super Lightweight Title

16Win12-1-2Lely Luz FlorezUD10 (10)2011-01-29Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusakavacant International Boxing Organization World Female Super Lightweight Title

Women's International Boxing Association World Super Lightweight Title

15Win11-1-2 Duda Yankovich UD10 (10)May 29, 2010Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka, Zambiavacant Women's International Boxing Association World super lightweight title
14Draw11-1-2Terri BlairSD10 (10)2009-11-28Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusakavacant Women's International Boxing Association World Super Lightweight Title
13Win10-1-1Viparat LasuwanTKO4 (10)2009-04-26Hood Restaurant, Nairobi
12Win9-1-1Hondi HernandezTKO5 (10)2008-10-04Woodlands Stadium, LusakaGlobal Boxing Union Female World Super Featherweight Title
11Win8-1-1Elina TissenUD10 (10)2008-04-26Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka, Zambiavacant Global Boxing Union Female World Super Featherweight Title
10Win7-1-1 Belinda Laracuente UD8 (8)Dec 1, 2007Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia
9Win6-1-1Radostina ValchevaRTD2 (10)2007-06-30Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia
8Win5-1-1Monika PetrovaUD8 (8)2007-03-18Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka
7Win4-1-1Kelli CoferMD8 (8)2006-12-02Moi International Sport Centre, Nairobi
6Win3-1-1Patience MasterPTS6 (6)2006-10-22National Sports Development Centre, Lusaka
5Win2-1-1Patience MasterKO2 (4)2006-05-27International ConventionCenter, Harare (Salisbury)
4Win1-1-1Patience MasterSD4 (4)2006-05-06Nchanga Mine Club, Chingola
3NC0-1-1-1Monalisa SibandaNC1 (4)2005-10-15Mbare Netball Complex, Harare (Salisbury)
2Loss0-1-1 Fatuma Zarika PTS4 (4)2005-08-21Moi International Sport Centre, Nairobi
1Draw0-0-1Jota SumailiPTS4 (4)2005-07-23Mindolo Dam, Kitwe

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References

  1. "Esther Phiri loses world title | Lusaka Voice". 27 February 2013.
  2. Caple, Jim. "Fists of Phiri - ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  3. 1 2 "In Zambia, woman boxer emerges as a new role model". The Christian Science Monitor . 2007-12-23. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  4. "Esther Phiri: Zambia's 'Million Dollar Baby'". CNN.com.
  5. Schatz, Joseph J. (2008-08-04). "Boxer Breaks Barriers for Women in Zambia". WSJ.com. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  6. "Zambia : Laracuente-Bruce say sorry". Lusakatimes.com. 4 December 2007. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  7. "Esther Phiri, la lutte de la championne de boxe en Zambie". RFI. January 24, 2015.
  8. "German Premiere: "Between Rings – The Esther Phiri Story" with Director Jessie Chisi in Attendance". AfricaVenir. Retrieved 30 April 2019.[ permanent dead link ]