Zambian female boxer pounds Zim's Monalisa Sibanda

BOXING heroine Esther Phiri last night retained her Women International Boxing Association (WIBA) and Women International Boxing Organisation (WIBO) titles after knocking out Zimbabwean, Monalisa Sibanda, ending a successful week for Zambian sport.

Esther's defending of WIBA and WIBO light-welterweight belts came barely five days after the Zambia soccer squad won the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In this eight-round scheduled title fight held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) in Lusaka, Esther stopped Sibanda just 42 seconds into the seventh round with a good combination which dumped her former sparring partner in the corner.

Sibanda, who had a false start to this bout with her wild punches, failed to beat referee Andile Matika's eighth count.

The Zimbabwean, hoping to maintain her edge over Esther after winning their last fight in 2005, was forced on her knee in the second round with a solid punch to the chin and another blow to the head.

Sensing danger, Sibanda resorted to throwing uncoordinated punches but Esther maintained her dominance with some good jabs.

Esther sent Sibanda crashing to the ropes twice in the sixth round but out of the blue the Zimbabwean unleashed a stray blow that shook the Zambian.

After retaining her belts, Esther said Sibanda now needed to respect her as a world champion because she was no match to her.

"She must now give me respect as a world champion. I wanted Monalisa to believe that I'm the world champion," an overjoyed Esther said.

Her trainer Anthony Mwamba said it was by faith in God that the tournament finally took place after earlier postponements.

Sibanda, however, said she did not want to fight because among other things she was disappointed with her $2,000 purse money while Esther was assured of more money.

Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Given Lubinda, who was guest of honour, said Government was proud of Esther's achievement which came just some days after the national soccer team won a historic AFCON trophy.

"Praise be to God for showing Zambia the winning style," Lubinda said.

In the earlier fights, Francis 'Galagata' Zulu reclaimed the national heavyweight title after beating a determined Ngandu Biselele in a scrappy 12 rounder characterised by incessant holding.

Zulu, who did not take his seat during the breaks, managed to send Biselele to the canvas but the challenger gathered himself up and fought back.

As Biselele surged forward and landed punches, Zulu on most occasions resorted to holding thereby frustrating his opponent.

However, Biselele had himself to blame for failing to finish off this contest even when he had Zulu hanging on the ropes.

Donald Kampamba knocked out Sam Chisanga two minutes and 45 seconds in the first round of an exciting light-heavyweight bout that left fans yearning for more.  

Kampamba landed punches at will on Chisanga's face prompting referee Richard Tembo to step in and stop the contest.

Pathias Chisenga, making his professional debut, beat Tom Chisenga, who was boasting of six fights, in a bantamweight fight on point spilt decision.  

Amos Temfuma clobbered veteran Ndola bouncer Masozi Kamanga inflcting him with his 10th career defeat from 10 fights.  

Kamanga, who looked tired throughout the six rounds, failed to land any serious punch as Temfuma unleashed solid blows to win the fight scoring 60-54, 60-55, 60-54.

Nelson Banda beat Zimbabwe's Micheck Kondwani after an exciting eight rounds lightweight bout after scoring 80-73,78-74, 80-75 to win on unanimous point decision.  

Banda now boasts of having won six fights and has one loss with a draw while Kondwani has 37 fights to his credit with 19 wins, 17 loses and eight knock-outs.

Kondwani bled from his nose after solid blows to his head from Banda, who also left the ring with a cut above his eye.