By ELIAS CHIPEPO –

PELI Breweries has given Exodus International Boxing Promotions (EIBP) K100, 000 towards the hosting of the August 9 boxing tournament that will see former champion Esther Phiri making her comeback.
PELI Breweries, brewers of Kalampa Opaque beer, has become the main sponsor of the tournament whose budget has been put at K450, 000.
Esther will take on Victorina Britez of Paraguay in a non-title welterweight fight at the Lusaka’s Country Pub with Joseph ‘No Pressure’ Chingangu exchanging punches with Francis ‘Galagata’ Zulu for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight title, which will be the main supporting bout.
Speaking during a media briefing held at the Country Pub yesterday, Peli Breweries spokesperson Collins Phiri said K100, 000 was donated straight into the stables account to help it stage the fight.
Phiri said the company had also spent an additional K50, 000 on logistics such as transportation, food and accommodation for the boxers and called on other companies to come on board and help successfully stage the fight.
EIBP proprietor Anthony Mwamba thanked Peli Breweries Limited for coming on board and urged other companies to emulate the brewing firm by supporting the staging of the tournament that will offer fans the best fights.
Mwamba said the boxers were shaping up well and that fans would not be disappointed and allayed fears that the fight would be postponed as has been the case for the past one year.
“On our side we are very ready, the boxers are in shape and we are continuing to ensure they are in the right shape. I would like to thank Peli Breweries for coming to our aid and hope other companies will follow suit,” he said.
Also joining the sponsors’ bandwagon was Mpila Media, who would be marketing the fight with its chief executive officer (CEO) Ponga Liwewe saying holding a non-title fight for Esther was the right road map towards taking her to fight for an international title.
Ponga said his sports marketing company, usually involved in football, has broadened its horizon and will be working with EIBP to ensure that it brings in corporate partners to support the tournament.
He said there were significant benefits for companies that would come on board owing to the massive exposure and following among the Zambian fans which he added would reignite the sport in the country.