. Phiri

By MWANGALA LISELI –
BEST Western Plus Lusaka Grand hotel has pledged to accommodate female boxer, Esther Phiri and her South Africa opponent, Sandra Almeida at the cost of K20,000 for their World International Boxing Association (WIBA) and World International Boxing Federation (WIBF) welterweight unification title fight next week.
Hotel media and public relations manager, Janine Baalmann said promoting sport was one of the hotel’s social responsibility as it connected people in both Zambia and beyond.
“Best Western Plus Lusaka Grand Hotel is a hotel where athletes reside and we are proud to announce that Sandra Almeida will also be staying with us,” she said.
Superior Milling public relations manager Peter Katongo warned journalists against filming the fight, saying only Supersport and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) had the right to televise the event.
Exodus Boxing Promotions manager, Jonathan Chilonda said K450, 000 out of the K600, 000 budget had been raised but was optimistic the balance would be realised before next Friday.
Esther said despite not knowing her opponent well, she was confident of victory.
Exodus director, Anthony Mwamba said apart from the Esther and Almeida fight, there would also be some supporting bouts on the day.
In the first bout, Benard Mwango will face Ndola based Derrick Besa in the 55.3 kg of the super weight non title with Joel Mwewa slugging it out with Zimbabwe’s Martin Tshuma in the junior welterweight international non title fight.
Female boxer Maggie Lingililani will be up against Kenyan Everline Odero in a lightweight contest while Lina Kasweka and Tanzanian Fatuma Yazidu will fight in bantamweight female international non title contest.
The other bout will see Sherif Kasongo facing Zimbabwe’s Asilas Mandeya in a welterweight fight with light-heavyweight Anos Temfuma taking on another Zimbabwean Nowell Mpofu while Babeguy Chimanga will clash with Admos Takavira also of Zimbabwe in a middleweight bout.