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]

Esther Phiri
Born (1987-06-14) June 14, 1987 (age 37)
Lusaka, Zambia
NationalityZambian
Statistics
Weight(s)Bantam weight
Boxing record
Total fights19
Wins14
Wins by KO5
Losses1
Draws3
No contests1

Biography

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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

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

Professional boxing record

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19 fights 14 wins 1 loss
By knockout 5 0
By decision 9 1
Draws 3
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
19 Draw 14-1-3 Sandra Almeida TD 3 (10) 2015-05-22 Government Complex, Lusaka interim Women's International Boxing Association World Welterweight Title
18 Win 14-1-2 Everline Odero PTS 8 (10) 2014-12-20 Chez-Ntemba, Lusaka
17 Win 13-1-2 Monalisa Sibanda KO 7 (10) 2012-02-17 Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka International Boxing Organization World Female Super Lightweight Title

Women's International Boxing Association World Super Lightweight Title

16 Win 12-1-2 Lely Luz Florez UD 10 (10) 2011-01-29 Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka vacant International Boxing Organization World Female Super Lightweight Title

Women's International Boxing Association World Super Lightweight Title

15 Win 11-1-2 Duda Yankovich UD 10 (10) May 29, 2010 Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka, Zambia vacant Women's International Boxing Association World super lightweight title
14 Draw 11-1-2 Terri Blair SD 10 (10) 2009-11-28 Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka vacant Women's International Boxing Association World Super Lightweight Title
13 Win 10-1-1 Viparat Lasuwan TKO 4 (10) 2009-04-26 Hood Restaurant, Nairobi
12 Win 9-1-1 Hondi Hernandez TKO 5 (10) 2008-10-04 Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka Global Boxing Union Female World Super Featherweight Title
11 Win 8-1-1 Elina Tissen UD 10 (10) 2008-04-26 Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia vacant Global Boxing Union Female World Super Featherweight Title
10 Win 7-1-1 Belinda Laracuente UD 8 (8) Dec 1, 2007 Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia
9 Win 6-1-1 Radostina Valcheva RTD 2 (10) 2007-06-30 Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia
8 Win 5-1-1 Monika Petrova UD 8 (8) 2007-03-18 Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka
7 Win 4-1-1 Kelli Cofer MD 8 (8) 2006-12-02 Moi International Sport Centre, Nairobi
6 Win 3-1-1 Patience Master PTS 6 (6) 2006-10-22 National Sports Development Centre, Lusaka
5 Win 2-1-1 Patience Master KO 2 (4) 2006-05-27 International ConventionCenter, Harare (Salisbury)
4 Win 1-1-1 Patience Master SD 4 (4) 2006-05-06 Nchanga Mine Club, Chingola
3 NC 0-1-1-1 Monalisa Sibanda NC 1 (4) 2005-10-15 Mbare Netball Complex, Harare (Salisbury)
2 Loss 0-1-1 Fatuma Zarika PTS 4 (4) 2005-08-21 Moi International Sport Centre, Nairobi
1 Draw 0-0-1 Jota Sumaili PTS 4 (4) 2005-07-23 Mindolo Dam, Kitwe

References

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  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. ^ a b "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]
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