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I Have A Lot To Prove – Catherine
AFTER winning her first world title at the expense of Canadian Natalie Forget, 20-year-old boxing sensation Catherine Phiri believes she has a lot to prove.
And Forget expressed disappointment on the defeat but gave credit to Phiri whom she described as a talented boxer.
Phiri won the vacant World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) bantamweight title in a scintillating fight that was determined by a majority point decision after 10 rounds of entertaining blows.
The first judge scored a 97-all draw while judge two and three scored 98-94 and 100-92 respectively in favour of Phiri.
The 20-year-old admitted she was fighting a tough opponent who gave her a good run for her money.
Phiri said she managed to contend the experienced 38-year-old Canadian after studying her technique in the first two rounds.
Phiri dominated the first four rounds but Natalie bounced back into the bout in rounds seven, eight and nine but the damage had been done.
“The fight was very tough and Natalie is very fit. She has the experience and that’s a good thing but I was able to control the bout. I wanted to know her strategy. I just had to follow my coach’s instructions but I must admit it wasn’t easy,” said Phiri in an interview at Lusaka’s Government Complex on Saturday night.
She said she will not be carried away with the victory but will remain focused and continue training hard for her next fight.
“For now I have to train hard, I will be facing a lot of experienced boxers. I promise to give my fans another good fight next time, they should continue supporting me. Natalie is the toughest opponent I have ever fought, now I am a champion and I will be facing many challengers, I have to train hard,” Phiri said.
And Forget said she respects the judges’ decision because Phiri is a good boxer.
“Of course, I am disappointed, every boxer wants to win but I respect the judges’ decision. it was an excellent fight,” she said.
Forget said she had a lot to prove especially when fighting a tactically good boxer like Phiri and her strategy was to put pressure on her opponent.
“She has a lot of abilities and talent…she will go very far,” Forget said.
Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions operations manager Christopher Malunga said Phiri will go back to training and will have another fight in three months’ time.
“We are very happy that she won. People were telling us that we are rushing her but the girl is excellent. She is a very good boxer and we could not suppress such talent because of people’s views. We have not rushed her,” Malunga said.
Ministry of Sport and Youth permanent secretary Agness Musunga congratulated Phiri for her splendid performance.
Musunga said there is need for Zambian athletes to maintain the winning momentum, which started with football and motorsport.
The Zambia national soccer team won the Africa Cup while rally driver Mohammed Essa is the African champion.
“We are very happy with Phiri’s victory, her performance was excellent, she has made the nation proud. It should not matter which discipline, athletes should aim towards winning.
Musunga said Government will support all sports disciplines and that sport is a unifying factor.
The main supporting bout between Zambia’s Francis ‘Galagata’ Zulu and Namibia’s Tiger Simasiku could not take place after the latter chickened out and the Zambian was given the bout via a walkover.
Posted by
Umu bemba
October 22, 2012 at 8:39 am
Congrats Cathrine, way to go!!
Chilufya
October 22, 2012 at 9:05 am
Its true that ladies from eastern province have proved to be very good with these two services that is in the boxing ring and when offering bedroom services to a bembaman.
Am really telling you those who haven’t tested these ladies are sweet in bed, kwena mwebanakashi bakuchipata mwalimfulunganya.
Anyway congratulations to Catherine for scrobing that old lady .
I know though she’s not beautiful as a young girl, in bed she must be very sweet and one of our ministers will soon be attracted to marry her.
mk
October 22, 2012 at 9:30 am
Congratulations to Catherine. She is good as in good. She certainly is a shade better than Esther.
Shawn
October 22, 2012 at 9:42 am
Continue making zambia proud.
justiny barton
October 22, 2012 at 10:06 am
congrates,show them guys
brad
October 22, 2012 at 10:43 am
Ba Chilufya mwishikula umwana,i think she looks 16-18 not 20 as reported.Malunga u v a job to protect the gal from Vigabengas. Shez very impressive and i like her composure humility,diplomacy,accent and fluency.she speaks beta than the big sis.By the way where was esta?She was supposed to av bin there to inspire cathy if nothing she was supposed to b the one to lead her in and out of the ring.Go Go Cathy the sky is the limit.
chris
October 22, 2012 at 12:03 pm
mwaiche go for ester’s belts
Zebige
October 22, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Umwaiche uyu alefwaika ukumulya.Inama yamoneka.
kakolwe
October 22, 2012 at 1:07 pm
@brad. Thats true, I expected Ester to be there. Is it the difference in stables? Ba Anthony Mwamba & Malunga, kuisapota when it comes to international belts, u aint political parties. @Chris, tioko, bapusana ama categories!
chimps
October 22, 2012 at 1:20 pm
This lady is marvellous, i really enjoyed watching her and encouraged fellow women who looked lost ! Everything looks fine with sport in PF Government. Let us give her chance to prosper, plz my Bemba brothers spare the litle girl for some good future !
PF at Work
October 22, 2012 at 1:32 pm
PF is the way to go. Every1 is poised for victory in all their endeavours. Sata is the man, surely man of action.
I kno this pains Hate Hate so much to see that every1 in Zed is in a jovial mood, every1 is celebrating! HH icinso cilekonkontanafye!!!
Sata is the man and PF is the way to go. Viva Sata. Viva PF.
Bemila-Defender of the gospel
October 22, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Esther is in the family way. She will not been seen in public places this time arroundok, here it is;