Esther Phiri


Esther Phiri is a Former World Female Boxing Champion Zambian boxer. Esther was stripped of her title after her retirement. Esther is the first female Zambian boxer to get international recognition and accolades. She became world champion after defeating Belinda Laracuente.

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. She was encouraged by Anthony Mwamba, a former boxer she met in 2003. Her first fight was in 2005. She won the GBU 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. 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. She also invests in real estate.

Documentary film

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.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
19Draw14-1-3Sandra AlmeidaTD3 2015-05-22Government Complex, Lusakainterim Women's International Boxing Association World Welterweight Title
18Win14-1-2Everline OderoPTS8 2014-12-20Chez-Ntemba, Lusaka
17Win13-1-2Monalisa SibandaKO7 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 2011-01-29Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusakavacant International Boxing Organization World Female Super Lightweight Title
Women's International Boxing Association World Super Lightweight Title
15Win11-1-2Duda YankovichUD10 May 29, 2010Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka, Zambiavacant Women's International Boxing Association World super lightweight title
14Draw11-1-2Terri BlairSD10 2009-11-28Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusakavacant Women's International Boxing Association World Super Lightweight Title
13Win10-1-1Viparat LasuwanTKO4 2009-04-26Hood Restaurant, Nairobi
12Win9-1-1Hondi HernandezTKO5 2008-10-04Woodlands Stadium, LusakaGlobal Boxing Union Female World Super Featherweight Title
11Win8-1-1Elina TissenUD10 2008-04-26Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka, Zambiavacant Global Boxing Union Female World Super Featherweight Title
10Win7-1-1Belinda LaracuenteUD8 Dec 1, 2007Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia
9Win6-1-1Radostina ValchevaRTD2 2007-06-30Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia
8Win5-1-1Monika PetrovaUD8 2007-03-18Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka
7Win4-1-1Kelli CoferMD8 2006-12-02Moi International Sport Centre, Nairobi
6Win3-1-1Patience MasterPTS6 2006-10-22National Sports Development Centre, Lusaka
5Win2-1-1Patience MasterKO2 2006-05-27International ConventionCenter, Harare
4Win1-1-1Patience MasterSD4 2006-05-06Nchanga Mine Club, Chingola
30-1-1-1Monalisa SibandaNC1 2005-10-15Mbare Netball Complex, Harare
2Loss0-1-1Fatuma ZarikaPTS4 2005-08-21Moi International Sport Centre, Nairobi
1Draw0-0-1Jota SumailiPTS4 2005-07-23Mindolo Dam, Kitwe