. Phiri

By GRACE CHAILE –
ESTHER Phiri’s opponent for her long awaited return to the ring has been changed with the Zambian icon now expected to fight Evelyn Odoro of Kenya during this Saturday’s non-title welterweight bout in Lusaka.
Exodus International Boxing Promotions (EIBP) proprietor Anthony Mwamba said Esther initial opponent Jennifer Fasscho of Uruguay was replaced due to her camp complicated demands which could not be met.
Mwamba said during a media briefing held at Fairview Hotel in Lusaka yesterday that Fasscho’s agent, Patiricio Retondaro, will be at another tournament in Spain but gave a lot of instructions on how the boxer should be flown into the Lusaka.
“We had a problem to fly in Fasscho because of the instructions given to us were just too many. We were told that Fasscho should not get on a flight with so many connections and stopover’s.
They wanted us to fly her from Argentina into Zambia via Dubai which was going to be costly for us. I didn’t have any other option but to put up a replacement and I am certain that Odoro will give Esther a good fight,” he said.
Mwamba praised Odoro as being a good boxer boosting of 12 fights from which she has won six, losing five and drew one adding that he was confident she will give Esther a good fight when the two square it out at Chez Ntemba in Kabulonga, Lusaka.
Esther, who was recently honoured by the Africa Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five for her contribution to sports in the region, said she will put up a good fight for people to prove that she was still a champion.
“I don’t believe in losing and I will ensure that I put up a champions fight. This fight will prove that I am still a champion. Despite being out of professional boxing for two years, I am very fit,” she said.
Fight organiser Jonathan Chilonda said K350,000 has been raised from the K450,000 total budget and expressed optimism of raising the deficit before the fight on Saturday.