By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA  –
ZAMBIA’S female boxing pioneer, Esther Phiri yesterday failed to hold back tears and broke down as she recounted the trauma she went through after being declared unfit to continue fighting at the peak of her career in 2012.
Esther, who will next week have a shot at two world titles, made a stunning return to the ring last year after another medical opinion showed that she was fit to continue with the sport which saw her claim six international boxing championships.

• BOXER Esther Phiri (left) poses with her namesake and fellow pugilist Catherine yesterday in Lusaka.- Picture by Jean Mandela.

During a Sponsors Breakfast held for her at Hotel Intercontinental in Lusaka yesterday, which was also attended by Africa Boxing Union (ABU) bantamweight champion Catherine Phiri, Esther struggled to hold back tears as she recalled being told she could not box anymore.
Ahead of a fight against Zimbabwean Monalisa Sibanda, Esther was informed she was no longer good enough for boxing because of health issues, a declaration which came as a huge blow to the then darling of the Zambian sport.
With the emergence of another boxing sweetheart in Catherine, Esther could not believe the plug had been pulled on her career but went out to challenge the results in a solo fight to recheck her health puzzle with other opinions, paving her way back into the ring after a brief hiatus.
“I remember being told ‘you are not fit for boxing anymore’. It was devastating and this was not the Esther I knew. I then started fighting my way back and I recall clearly the day I was told I was good enough for boxing. I am sorry I am failing to hold back tears but thank God I am back,” an emotional Esther said as she broke down.
On return to the ring last December, Esther beat Kenyan, Evelyn Odoro in a non-title bout.
She is now promising a good showing against South African Sandra Almeida on May 22 for the unification of the World International Boxing Association (WIBA) and World International Boxing Federation (WIBF) welterweight titles.
And organisers for next Friday’s fight between Esther and Almeida for the vacant WIBA and WIBF titles said they had raised more than 70 per cent of the K620,000 budget needed for the event.
Organising chairperson, Peter Cottan said 70 per cent of the needed funds had been raised and was confident that the remaining K150,000 would be mopped up before the Friday night fight.
“I am pleased to stand before all you here and tell you that we have managed to raise more than 70 per cent of the money we need for the bout. We have a week before the fight and I am asking for the corporate world to come forward and fill-up,” he said.
He hailed this promotion which he said was adding spice to sports in the country by having wrestling on the bill.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Given Lubinda, who stood in for Sports Minister Vincent Mwale, said Esther was one of the biggest brands in Zambian boxing alongside Catherine.
Lubinda said Esther was a role model who was motivating a lot of young girls to join boxing and keep away from bad vices.
He also called on the corporate world to assist in the boxing promotion.
“You know Government cannot help out everywhere and it makes me happy when boxing, like golf and motor sport can go and talk to the corporate world on sponsorship.
Esther’s trainer Anthony Mwamba hailed the sponsors for assisting the bill, saying without them, the tournament would not have been possible.