Catherine Phiri yesterday took a giant step to worldwide recognition by winning the Africa Boxing Union (ABU) women bantamweight title after demolishing Uganda’s Toma Hawa-Babirye with an eighth round technical Knock-Out in one of the most lope sided bouts seen in Zambia lately.
The winning of the ABU title adds to the World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) title the won last year.
Babirye, who promised fight-fans she would remove the zero defeats sitting pretty on Catherine’s record, offered nothing to suggest she could beat the undefeated Zambian but one strength she has is tenacity and ability to take unbelievably heavy beating and sill go on.
Catherine had last night battered the Babirye from Round-One right through the eighth with the Ugandan taking the count in the fourth but still got back into the fight to take further beating and still stood, withstanding whatever Catherine threw at her.
Realising she was up against never-say-die opponent, Catherine slowed down in the fifth and sixth but came out all guns blazing in the seventh where the bell saved her from the referee’s count.
But there was no way out of the eighth as Catherine unleashed a series of devastating punches and even when she indicated to the coach Mike Kazza that she can’t go one, the coach refused to throw in towel and only the referee decided enough was enough and put Catherine in line for a World Boxing Council (WBC) title fight.
Watched the fight. Catherine was very good. Take nothing away from the girl. I wish her well in her exams.
She us done us proud and must be supported. Its time we seriously started supporting minor sports and not putting all our meager resources into football.
All Zambians cant be footballers, but they can bring success and glory to our country through their various talents
Congratulations Catherine for a wonderful job, You make Zambia proud!!
Where is Willie Nsanda when we need him the most!?
Until some bloody political figure decides to marry her…
Umwaiche alaposa no size, keep it up girl u made the countly ploud.
Mbuya chizunga chivuta Kulemba ka? Osamva nsoni yai
Its not PLOUD koma “PROUD”
Give praise were its due. well done Katalina. Zambia is multi talented.
She was brilliant. Very focused and steady. I congratulate her and now wish her all the best in her exams. I believe she can make it in school too
Well done girl, but keep that minister who was walking on his hands away from the girl.
good one this…
She is an entertaining boxer who is steady, focused and has the ability to do exploits in the ring. Well done Catherine!!!
Please no vultures near hear, not the Esther phiri saga. Hope she has a good mentor who will not allow her to be distructed.
Congrats kabudo!!!!
I saw Masumba the certificate thief posing a photo with her. Maweee she is gone
Congratulations Catherine for doing us Proud and doing a great job.
There is rumor that should Catherine win again, Willie Nsanda is contemplating dumping Esther Phiri for Catherine Phiri.
don’t just allow that married man so called your manager and trainers to start bonking you. you will end up like Esther phiri who ends up having a secret wedin wit a pf cadre she chooses dick over career put school first and your career as well, otherwise you such a talented boxer and will support you all the girl to the top.dicks will finish you, will enjoy them later.
When is Zambian boxing going to stage quality opponents? I for one would love to see these Zambian female boxers get knocked out. What is the fun in winning noncompetitive matches. Is our economy that bad that we have to resort to finding joy in such demeaning areas.
no lord whatever,
its you who is bad.
why can’t you list down possible female bantamweight boxers that you think would give her a good run for her money.
mind you that was an ABU title fight if you did not know.
give credit were its due.
My credit is not cheaply given. Are you people so daft that you cannot suspect why all Zambian female boxers are undefeated? Anyhow, good luck, guess the soccer team can under-perform as long as Esther and Catherine are around, it’s an alternative source of joy right?
Oriental wabomba we! Manuchi awina elyo Catherine nankwe awina! Ni Boom iyo
Midiocre opponents as usual. Try Cuban, russian and american boxers. Not the malnourished Ugandan and Ghanians
iwe that was an ABU title fight meant for africans.
I think Oriental Quarries should dump that clown called Manyuchi.We want to watch boxing not comedy.When we want comedy we switch to ZNBC swearing in ceremonies.
Just give credit where its due. He knocked down his opponent in the third round and you call him a clown. Boxing is game meant to entertain people. Manyuchi has his own style, if you are not happy them join the sport and face him in the ring. I bet you the guy will destroy your a.ss in few seconds.
I agree. Manyuchi is an @rsehole of a boxer and as the Ghanian coach said, one day he will face a real opponent who will not tolerate his nonsense and punch him real bad
And where is that real opponent nkumba iwe? Manyuchi is good period!
good luck my sister everything is yours.
I have a feeling that Esther Phiri was afraid of Catherine Phiri,that one day she will be knocked out. Best to resign. Go Cathy….!
Why exactly were they fighting? They probably have never met before the fight and there they were beating the crap out of each other. And we call that entertainment? Bullgas!
Great but the referee should be cautioned for not stopping the fight earlier to prevent Babirye from suffering damage to her head. A mandatory stop fight should be called if 5 unanswered blows are delivered to an opponent without reply.
She is a good & talented boxer. Just remain focused. Keep on keeping on !!