Zambia’s sensational boxing heroin, Esther Phiri has quit boxing. It is believed that frustration has forced Esther Phiri to quit the sport, following the descision by Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZPBWCB), a boxing motherbody, to slap her promoter and trainer, Anthony Mwamba, with a three month ban.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have reached this decision to retire from active boxing a sport I love so much. But I could not continue because of the many frustrations from the people entrusted to run the affairs of the sport,” Esther said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.
“People might think I have lost my senses but this is the best decision to take and I did not even tell my manager whom I know is annoyed with my decision,” she added.
Esther said it was embarrassing for a World Champion to have her trainer banned from active boxing champion wondering how the board expects her to train without her instructor, who is banned from all boxing activities.
She said she did not agree with the ZPBWCB decision to impose a 90 days ban on Mwamba, whom she said, the board would have called to correct him if indeed they had found him wanting.
“I was really hurt when I heard that my manager has been banned. It was so embarrassing to me as a World Champion. How do people around the World say about a champion whose manager has been banned and striped off his boxing licence?
The decision may be long overdue, but Esther according to Muvi TV Sports News, said that there was a lot of jealous individuals that have worked hard in tarnishing her image.
The household female boxer retires professionally unbeaten, having won her last fight against Zimbabwe’s Monalisa Sibanda in the Women’s International Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation title fight last year.
Early last month, Esther hinted that she may not get back in the ring after admitting that she had become overweight for the sport, and claimed she had achieved all a boxer could achieve.
Meanwhile, National Heavyweight Boxing Champion Francis ‘Galagata’ Zulu says the quitting of Zambia’s sensational boxing heroin, Esther Phiri, is a big blow to the boxing fraternity.
Zulu says Esther was an inspirational boxer to both old and new comers and her decision to quit has rather come just too early.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Zulu said it was no doubt that Esther lifted the boxing sport in Zambia.
He said boxers in the country would respect her decision to resign from boxing though it is too painful.
He described the quitting as a move that has un-settled many stakeholders who have received the decision with great shock.
“It is too early for Esther to quit boxing and it is a big blow to the nation because she lifted the boxing fraternity in particular and Zambian flag higher.
“I respect her decision to resign from boxing but we cannot force her to remain in sport,” Zulu lamented.
He thanked the government and other private institutions that rendered support to the female boxing legend and six-time world boxing champion and that it should not relent but to continue rendering support to the remaining active boxers.
Zulu has urged female Zambian boxers to emulate Esther by working very hard to lift the boxing fraternity.
ZANIS
Just enjoy your marriage life and RDA money naiwe Esther. Why do you want to send a wrong massage? Ifimano fyabuhule!
RDA money kekekeke.. but mwamutuka, fapu!! like you pulled her G-string!
you are right my brother…..she is childish with komboni manners…she reacts to anything….let them enjoy RDA money…tombanoko Esther Phiri
Good decision.It is always nice to quit while on the top.I support her decision.
Ala nashifula mwandi tusha next time bakakuma kumabu.Hope your plan b(Financial stability)is a well executed one coz we don`t want you to join a list of former boxers who ended paupers at the end of the day.
Wanted to say who ended up being paupers…..
I salute Ester for taking that direction. It is better to quite with pride than waiting to be defeated. I am sure she has invested her purse monies in some properties to assist her in future. I wish you the best and sure the best is yet to come
Wacitabwino Esther. Fileke mwandi, before you go down. You are a heroin
@3 Nobert,
I hope you wanted to say she is a heroine not heroin.
No he meant heroin. Lisukulu lyamuli ba FTJ (MHSRIP) lyalenga fyonsefi but natumfwa message boss. Esther is a drug. LOL!
Perfect and mature decision Esther. Wish you all the best. You did us pride as Zambians.
Good luck, my sister with God’s blessing!
akali kukucita mudala uja ujeni..hahaha..board director..lol..sad you gone my gal..
Fact: Easter cant fight anymore competitively bearing in mind lifting that RDA chairman’s weight in the night daily.
The issue of jealous is nonsense.See why school is important<part ways without blaming anybody sha!
@WTF,,, chi color taufwa…..hahahahahahah
Fine for her. She has done her part in the proffession.
Great decision whilst still a champion and that’s what she will be remembered for,Unbeaten.
As far as I know this sport is dead in Z. We never learnt from Gibson Nwosu and Wilfred Sauerland when the two were in control
Easter PHIRI is finished now by NSANDA, i think anthony mwamba was doing something with ester manje with the coming of PF pompa fighter, illie nsanda had to finish that ka bemba man by using his powers vested unto him by PF ehhh..ndeloleshafye
Whether for this reason or not, this is the right time for you to leave active boxing. Good decision, think carefully about your future now.
Thank you for making us proud mwana wasu!
good decision. After all, this sport is also for failures/G7s that can’t make it in life. if you reason carefully, you will find that people use the punches boxers get to make money for themselve- shows why educated people like most bloggers cant join it!
Linking her quiting to Anthony’s suspension is a complete lie.When she last fought the Zimbabwan,she was not “medically fit” to fight,nor was she suppose to fight ever again.She can never pass medicals,that is the real problem.Try and guess what she has in her blood?
Spot on. Zambians easily forget what they read.
Best way to retire undefeated(Rocky Maciano style).
No matter what the reason behind may be, i think more of it has to do with the dude, i for one wouldnt quit any carreer of mine for any James bond or Brad PItt! I dont have respect for women who give up their lives for a man, shame on you ambuya Esther!
That man must have been fearing all the time that blows might fly, i bet he was the woman in the bed room!
Is it true that she is pregnant?
There is time for everything.
enjoy your retirement mwandi the actual reason behind your hanging up doesnt matter at this stage.
Can some please tell us why her trainer was suspended for 3months and stripped of his licence.. He might have committed a crime??? Please anyone with information about Mwamba to come forward.
Enjoy your retirement!! You do not have to prove to anyone anything. You have put our country back on the world map again and made us proud. When no other sport could do it, you did all by your toil and sweat. You remind me of Lottie Gunduzani Mwale. A word of advice though! do not stay in a relationship that is not sanctified. To be respected, crown your relationship with a vow as is prescribed by God as well as our own culture. Good luck in your future endeavours.
In a GLADIATOR sport like boxing,where violence is lawful, where nose bleeding is a normal thing, where targeting the head where the brain habitates with sledge hammer blows is quite ‘reasonable’ any boxer who quits must be applauded. Boxing is a violent sport and the calls to ban it are growing worl wide. Well done ESTHER.
yet so called educated pipo like u are not even one tenth of what she has. talent comes in many forms, could be education,sport etc make good use of what God almighty has given you. Hullucinating yourself in your simple forged degree will bring grief to you soon.
We all know u are HIV+. Boxers who are HIV+ are not allowed to BOX. Im not spiting u. But as a role model come out in the open and break the stigma.
We knew with your involvment with Nsanda this was coming to pass.
None of your fights were impressive. Fluke wins..
So mama Ester is so annoyed with Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board such that she even got pregnant? Dont accuse innocent people
GOOD TUSHA MWANDINI, KUTI BAKUKONTOLA ILINO??
For Esther Phiri to attribute the retirement from active boxing to the suspension(for whatava reazon) of Anthony Mwamba, iz very misplaced and baseless. However, there’z nothing wrong in hanging up the glovez now(and timely so). Nobody should decide who our retired heroine boxer choozez to associate with, and if or not to get in a family way. The best we can do iz wish her well and advize that she uzez her hard earned “wealth” to plan the future.
your forged degrees will soon cause grief in your life better be humble in life and nature your God given talent. Ba Mushota we know that you are one of the characters with forged credentials!!!!
i wonder were this country is going, the so called educated people of zambia, possibly future leaders are debating on a straight foward issue, and yet they are real issues pending, think straight ,let us develop our country.
@ CHIMBWII VERY INTERESTING COMMENT YOU HAVE POSTED!!! EVERY VP HAS HAD A BONKEE AT ZNBC
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO WAS DOING GEORGE KUNDA BIG TIME, IS IT?
A)NAMAKAU
B)DOREEN
C)EVELYN
D)CLAUDETTE
E)PATRICIA ELIS
@ CHIMBWII VERY INTERESTING COMMENT YOU HAVE POSTED!!! EVERY VP HAS HAD A BONKEE AT ZNBC
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO WAS DOING GEORGE KUNDA BIG TIME, IS IT?
A)NAMAKAU
B)DOREEN
C)EVELYN
D)CLAUDETTE
E)PATRICIA ELIS
@MUNKOMSWEE
whi finger pointing, that sounds childish
Ilihule!Very dull
@Jelitta, tabami tall mber po imwe??? How innocent are you? If not cast the first stone?
Hello
Look Esther loves money too much she do any thing for that , she knows that she is not medically fit she has tried to use Peter Cattan and Nsanda to force the board to allow her fight but they have failed . She must just go out of boxing because she is not fit and no can risk his business for her .
@jk, how fit are imwe?? How do you declare others unfit without proven evidence. Don’t you know that your left side of your heart is swollen??? I personally has spiritual eyes and i cannot confidently say see and say that you are also NOT fit. And you kick the bucket anytime. Ba kolwe, basekeno ifipatoo…!!!
Awe mwandine i am also tired with these fellow workmates pa ZNBC, ubuule bwacila, this place is cursed., nga ma issues yakutopinga awe mwandine nikatwishi.
Is Maureen the sports report still around? I used to drink with her at Makaveli Bar at town centre in 2001/2002 and 2003. Pantu she was a mama wa luse, she could give anyone in need.
All she needs to tell us is that she has found something in marriage. Its not good to cheat, some1 has been giving her money there4 need to get more fights. Please enjoy ur marriage but remember that one day you will lose the RDA chairman just like the other one did.
ESTER IS RICH, NOW, I KNOW SOMEONE BY THE NAME OF ESTER, BROUGHT UP IN KAWAMA LUANSHYA. SHE BEHAVES LIKE ESTER PHIRI, SHE IS EQUALLY FROM A VERY MISRABLE LIFE, NOMBA UKUBA TWALWA KU BANTU AWE MWANDI, SHE BEHAVES LIKE A HEADLESS CHICHEN, PEOPLE FROM MISRABLE FAMILIES ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN THE SEE MONEY. REASON THE SAY MUKOMBONI MWAKUFYALILA NOT UKUKULILAMO, CHILDREN BECOME SOMETHING ELSE, SO ESTHER THE NEIBOUGHS ARE IN TROUBLE. INSTEAD OF BEHAVING SHE IS MISBEHAVING.
Its your choice esther no one has the right to deprive you