Friday, March 29, 2024

Esther Phiri’s sparkle is losing its touch.

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After 8 successive triumphs, the time has come for Esther to head west.

Saturday nights GBU lightweight title fight 5th round TKO win over her raw American opponent Hondi Hernandez in a one-sided encounter has left Esther a bit stale in the entertainment department.

Hernandez gave little to show for the thousand mile journey from Arizona to Lusaka and it is  good Esther herself openly admitted her opponent was poor.

Esther learnt nothing from this fight apart from getting another customary big day payout.

Furthermore, it was  farcical to have even let Hernandez square-up against Esther as a GBU lightweight title contender in what ranked as Esther’s most uninspiring duel to date.

The fight at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka made a routine sparring session in the gym look more competitive.

The pounding Hernandez received from Esther also showed the America is still out of her depth in four straight defeats against some experienced hands following her initial four wins over fellow upstarts who barely had 2 competitive fights under their belts.

Anthony Mwamba and Esther’s principle paymasters must let their boxer move on to Europe or the Americas not only for the fame and fortune but to grow and regain some respect back home before a serious dose of false invincibility creeps in.
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While Esther is expected to leave next week on a half-year training camp in Germany courtesy of the GBU, the move should be long-term if she is to become a finer boxer.

Sadly, the obvious fear of losing on foreign soil and Esther’s commercial obligations at home will make it hard for her to make a professional decision to permanently relocate abroad and find her way into the great unknown.

The late Lottie Mwale outgrew Woodlands and Zambia after a series of well documented victories at iconic venues in Europe that culminated when he took the plunged in America against Saad Mohamed in 1980 against whom he suffered a 4th round lights-out-knockout.

To fight in America is every boxers biggest dream and equivalent to making a religious pilgrimage to a revered holy shrine.

If Esther doesn’t crave for a piece of America in the coming year then we will be forced to seriously question how ambitious she really is to stay in the square circle.

91 COMMENTS

  1. the person who wrote this is a lunatic. its her choice where she does her boxing. you are just another cheap sell out who craves being in america. go yourself and let her be. i think she is still a star mambala iwe

  2. She doesn’t need to migrate to the States to prove her worth. She can do it here at home. What she needs to have are fighters that can make her sweat for her victory. She also needs to employ more trainers to help horn her technical skills. Anthnoy Mwamba does not see to have these skills.

  3. Esther should face tough fighters than Hondi or Belinda. Well done Diva for mother land.. U ‘ve put us on the world map. Chipolopolo is even failling to win the regional cup now (COSAFA)……

  4. You people are funny, boxing is the only activity where people earn money the old fashioned way by beating people for it.
    If you can make more money by fighting below average fighters while rush to states to risk being beaten and amiss all the money. PF cadres please use common sense

  5. My fellow Zambians, I am the “Maestro Hhehhehhehhe – LABELLED as a TRIBALIST BY a group of BEMBA-TRIBALISTS (mainly UNDEREDUCATED or Kaponyas) who are small DISTINCT group from the ORIGINAL NORMAL REAL BEMBA PEOPLE of Zambia, just because I am born Tonga and succesful”.
    I have now officially stated using the name on my username now.I have done so because LT seems to be a supporer of those who insults or atleast they have pressured him to be on their side.To this end, I am now offically a PF Supporter for Sata to destroy Zambia.I’ll change my username to Maestro Hhehhehhehhe after the October 30, 2008 elections. All POSTS under the name Maestro Hhehhehhehhe from today onwards wont be from me

  6. Well, this fight was by far more convincing than the Belinda fight! but yes its in her best interest to contest real competition, must meet others with Lila Ali’s skill though within her weight catagory!

    But congrats! its about wining, isn;t the champ usually followed not the other way round! well done you won but watch out there are tough ones out there!

    I am sure the so called galilieo punch was somewhere among those many million punches she threw at the americano!

  7. If you are good then you are good. if they cant beat Esther here, they will stil not be able to beat her in the states or werever. let the fights continue to be in ZED so that we can watch them live at the stadium. few zambians can afford to go and watch her if the fight is abroad. Lets just give her the support she needs. We have a WORLD champion. We should be proud of that. Her opponets are strong but she makes them appear weak because she is stronger. We LOVE u Esther.

  8. If you are good you are good. Pipo just want to know if she can handle the acide test of wining away from home. while, as long as she remains champion why fight away from home. for her to fight away from home they need double her pocket money. So her it is a question of money or the pride of wining the belts> COngrants ! gal!

  9. Can I ask one question whose answer is not clear from the crap someone wrote up there.

    Did Ester win or lose?

  10. i wonder why america continue to bring weaklins. wanda should have known better than that. i woner how the atmosphere will be when they get back to america with yet another sad news of having lost to a zambian girl. congrats esther my sister. you are true chipata woman.

  11. As a fellow woman I’d advise her to groom another young lady,hang the gloves and get married. She has done her part, a woman shouldn’t be in this type of sport for too long.

  12. #16 Summer cool,thats a very gud point young lady.Nga achila apa men wil be scared of her unless the gold diggers.

  13. Anyway, wining is good but she should also consider investing her money properly if she has not yet done that. I felt very bad the last time I saw Lottie Mwale at town center. She should have what I may call an honest financial adviser.

  14. No# 16 and # 18 just made my days ever brighter; When the time comes yes the lady should resign or retire. Being a man it worries me that she does not get enem more publicity, her and that chess dude Simutowe; for unlike the National soccer team, they have won real important accolades such as four world championship belts and chess grand master status. May God bless them both, and us too.

  15. Esther needs money, not tougher opponents. the more weaker opponents come, the longer she will stay in the game and the more money she will make. money is more important than fame

  16. Hats off to you dear writer. Made good piece of reading. Keep it up. And ‘congrats!’Esther. It’s good for Esther. I think she needs such fights before she can move to the real American boxers. But again, why suffer if you can get dough on the cheap? For the long term, though, I think she needs a good trainer. I was in the same gym with her and her trainer for about a month back in the hood and I thought the trainer needed some ideas.

  17. Why is she always fighting with substitutes? Let her fight someone her age too. I am not against her success but the truth is that she has taken advantage of her opponents simply because she gets the support she needs here, let her expose herself outside Zambia and prove she a real champ. Who knows she might be dopping.

  18. Bamambala muletasha! Give credit where it is due. She is the champ and challengers should follow her. Besides if fights are staged in Zambia, its more beneficial for the development of the sport.

  19. She is fighting her way up, remember this is not like eating Nshima, you do not always just go all hands in. Let her pick them wisely, blows to the head are nasty, congratulations our lady; one of the very few Zambians that really win.

  20. Check out a comprehensive profile of Esther Phiri on ESPN, full with gym, Mutezima etc. Interesting reading.

  21. my take on all the comments is that easther needs a financial advisor (honest) to help her manage her earnings so that she has something to live off for the rest of her life…

  22. People (summer cool and shibukombe), really can’t a woman be successful without marriage coming in? worse still one is a woman giving “advice”. Really success is not measured by marriage its ones own hard work. I respect the institution of marriage but really it should not be an ambition for a young woman.

  23. Esther won’t get big fight from any of the top three boxing organizations untill she gets ranked, untill then she will have to make do wit upstarts and compet for less glamorous belts. The only option is if she takes up the challange to fight fo the number one contender of the green belt. Nevertheless it pays the bills and its giving her the much needed exposure in the squared circle. congrats ka gelo

  24. And yes as a wise young man I love a woman that is educated past institutions and gives advice; That betters our children, thus esther should Box on. Though she does need a great advisor. Plus some DvDs on the women she shall meet, for some of the fighters are crazy.

  25. Congrats, Esther! # 16, Esther is still a very young lady to run for marriage; I would understand if she were 40, but what is 22 to cry for marriage. She still has many years to start worrying about menopause!!! Go forward, Esther; we love you. All the best.

  26. Ester tembo is a very good boxer. Why she fights in zambia is because the gate takings are very good. in the states you have to have a license to fight in a aprticular state and this involves a lot money.

  27. News flash. Stop going to crowded places such as rallies as you most likely may contract the new disease on the scene. politicians are therefore advised to use the internet to communicate with their voters. The only exception is RB as he enjoys immunity.

  28. WITH ESTHER LEADING THE CHARGE, ZAMBIAN WOMEN TOOK THE BULL BY THE HORN AND MADE MINCE MEAT OF IT, THEY ARE WINNING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING PUT IN THEIR PATH. MELISSA NAWA JUST WON THE UGANDA WOMEN’S OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT WITH 73 ONE OVER PAR CONVINCINGLY. WE MIGHT NEED A LADY AS PRESIDENT ONE DAY, MAYBE 2011. GOD BLESS US ALL AND ZAMBIA.

  29. Fire at Lusaka Central Police
    “Meanwhile, there was a near punch up between police officers and fire brigade officers as police accused the fire fighters of arriving too late to quench the inferno.”
    Source: w w w . znbc . c o . z m

    Vote pabwato for anarchy in the country.
    Vote for Sata to sell Zambia to Taiwan.
    Vote for Sata for a friendly War with Angola to show our Soldiers how a WAR can be fought.

  30. #54 and #53 we indeed do have great women, as a man I say you need more support than we give you ladies. Esther wow!!!!

  31. SHE IS WAS A ROUGH DIAMOND WITH VALUE ALL THAT IS NEEDED NOW IS FINE POLISHING.SHE IS A CHAMPION LETS ACCEPT IT REGARDLESS OF WHERE SHE FIGHTS FROM.IF SHE WAS IN THE SAME WEIGHT WITH LAILA ALI I WILL DEFINATELY NOT ENCOURAGE HER TO DEFEND HER BELTS IN AMERICA BUT ON HOME SOIL.IN CASE YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO LAILA ALI IS SHE IS THE GREAT MUHAMMED ALI,S DAUGHTER.SHE ALSO DOES SOME FLOATING LIKE A BUTTERFLY AND STING LIKE A BEE.GO ESTHER GO WE ARE BEHIND YOU DESERVE THE BUCKS.

  32. Well written opinion and I agree with it totally but remember that the funds raised from the fights should as much as possible remain in Zambia as opposed to her lining the purses of the likes of Don King.

  33. Hats off to Esther. She is doing her bit to put Zambia on the map. She doesnt need to rush to the US. The German stint is a good starting point. One step at a time. We dont want another Mbesuma!

  34. Author, you got it all wrong, write sensibly and pls, LT Chief editor, sensor some of these shallow misleading articles. The poor skills of the US boxer has nothing to do with Ester, come on….mature up.

  35. Viva Diva indeed… shame on u LT for even publishing that article… typical Zambian Pull her down mentality (PHD)……… Y not bask in her glory and congratulate her….. and it shows u know nothing about boxing…. when u are reigning champion,….. u dont get to follow others as u defend yo title THEY COME TO YOU…… Stupid LT…..

    Number 3….Solmaz… LOVE YO COMMENT… WALASA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  36. No 19, you are really a Ponyax, Kaponya. People leave wives or husbands to study abroad for 2years. What’s 6 months? You will die poor.

  37. Does anyone remember the late Felix Bwalya? He was once Zambias most exciting boxer. His promoter had ideas similar to the LT author above. He was made to fight for the commonwealth welterweight championship against a British boxer called Paul Burke. He won the fight but died in hospital 3 days later (25 Dec 1997). Hugo Mulenga was the ref and judge. Yusuf Badat was his promoter. Please be patient with our Esther Phiri.

  38. I have no problem with Esther fighting at woodlands. If there are people who feel they can challenge her, they have to travel to woodlands. Is it not important that many more boxers should travel to Zambia? She can travel when time comes or when need arises. Do not push her. If its for studies, let her go after some good advice.

  39. This Fight was Nothing because Hondi was Nothing!! Remach with the German Elina Tissen must be!!! I saw the Video from Esther vs. Elina and the winner was ELINA Tissen!!!!!! Remach in Germany 2009!! Everybody would see this Fight again!!!!

  40. If the purse of future fights will pay her more than the Zed fights than it is worth considering. She should demand what is worth her while. She can still be based in Zambia and fight anywhere in the world. right now it seems the promoters are focused on the Zambian market! Moving to America is no Picknick!!

  41. Ester is doing Zambia proud. Talking about winning away from home, you may wish to know that actually the first belt Ester won was won way in Nairob, Kenya against an American called Kelli Coffer. Just do a google search on Kelli Coffer and you will realise Ester’s victory against her was an upset coz Coffer is actrually a good boxer. This makes Ester equally good or even better. Congrats Ester….look after yourself, your money and don’t forget your God.

  42. Retire from boxing, you have made us proud and Zambian go up. Constrate on your education and do something else.

  43. looks like cottan and mwaamba are doing a good job in picking poor fighters.Bring her a yam eating boxer from nigeria/Ghana and stop picking on these poor GMO eating boxers from europe/America.Lets see how she’ll peform………

  44. WELDONE ESTHER YOU MADE ME FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU JUST STARTED PUNCHES WITHOUT A STOP. ITS LIKE YOU HEARD ME GRAMBBLING. I SAID ‘ESTHER TRY THE STYLE FOR 2ND ZAMBIAN BOXER. IT CAN’T REMEMBER HIS NAME. AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. UKANTUMINE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WE. IT WAS A CLEAR AND CLEAN GAME. GRATITUDE TO COTTON AND MWAMBA. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP UP. GUD DE

  45. she has fought the best of america and coquered.why go there to prove what?the harder they come the harder they fall.let her alone .kalijo.

  46. yah dats the way it should be keep it up you
    have made us proud we the zedians are behind you keep on winning as they came

  47. TD Jakes dates presidential hopefuls

    By Times Reporter

    WORLD renowned tele-vangelist Thomas Dexter Jakes, fondly referred to as TD Jakes, is expected in Zambia on Monday to meet the presidential hopefuls in an effort to maintain the prevailing peace ahead of this month’s presidential election.

    Freedom Summit convenor, Nevers Mumba said at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that Bishop TD Jakes would pay a courtesy call on the acting President, Rupiah Banda and meet all the presidential hopefuls before talking to the Christianity fraternity.

    Dr Mumba said Bishop Jakes’ visit would give hope to the country which was expected to maintain peace during the political transition ahead and af

  48. Isaiah 41:18

    I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

    – God is the God of the impossible.
    – You may be in a valley or a wilderness.
    – Even in your wilderness God can make pools of water.
    – Let expectation be alive in your heart.

    PRAYER: Lord, You know the challenges I face. I pray that You will bring life into those barren and dry areas. Amen.

  49. Esther should chase her ghosts and fight Fatuma Zarika of Kenya be4 venturing outside Africa . . SHe knows it and she lost to ZArika in her early career but she is a fine boxer now . the two are probably the best female african boxers . .the contest wd be worthit then she can move on

  50. Esther should not be fighting. It is unnatural and disgraceful for anyone in general and for a woman in particular to indulge in aggression in the name of sport or career. What is wrong with all you people?

  51. It seems people have become too used to Esther’s success. Instead of congratulating our sister you opt to undermine the Esther fights. She is a champion let them come, let them fall. And please grow up, not everything should be done in America. Congrats Esther!!!

  52. I’m extremely inspired together with your writing abilities and also with the layout in your weblog. Is that this a paid subject or did you modify it yourself? Anyway stay up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to look a nice blog like this one today..

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