Former WBC bantamweight champion Catherine Phiri has been liberated from the two years ban which was rendered on her by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after being found to have used a banned substance.
Phiri failed a drug test from a sample taken during her WBC Interim Super Bantamweight title fight against Zimbabwe’s Kundakwashe Chiwandire on February 26, 2022, in Lusaka.
The announcement was made by Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions Operations Manager, Christopher Malunga, during a media briefing in Lusaka.
Malunga explained, “Catherine had unknowingly taken a substance to lose weight, which had been recently added to the list of prohibited substances in boxing.”
Following the lifted ban, Malunga announced that the 37 year old boxer will be treated to a last international ceremonial fight before her retirement.
“The retirement fight is scheduled for December 2024,” stated Malunga.