Sandra Almeida, South Africa’s first-ever female professional boxer, is returning to the ring to settle one of the most disputed outcomes in African women’s boxing history, while using the moment to drive the sport forward for the next generation of female fighters.
The exhibition rematch is officially confirmed for 27 March 2026 in Zambia, with contracts signed and preparations underway.
In 2015, Almeida challenged Zambian boxing pioneer Esther Phiri for a world title in a bout that ended in a highly controversial draw. The decision sparked outrage and debate, with Phiri publicly stating she was robbed, a claim that followed her into retirement from professional boxing.
Almeida also retired shortly after, as life beyond boxing took priority, but despite the years that have passed, the controversy never disappeared, and, over a decade later, Phiri’s camp has now called for a rematch, reigniting a rivalry that has lingered for years, and Almeida accepted immediately.
“People have talked long enough,” says Almeida. “I know what happened in that ring. Had that fight continued, Esther would not have survived it. This rematch is about truth, raw, undeniable truth.”
While the bout is not for a title, the stakes are deeply personal and historically significant.
“This is not nostalgia.”
South Africa’s First-Ever Female Professional Boxer, Sandra Almeida
“This is about accountability. You don’t walk away from a draw, claim robbery, and leave questions hanging for decades. You come back and prove it—or you get proven wrong.”
Now a registered South African boxing coach, Almeida has shifted much of her focus to developing women in boxing, creating pathways for young female fighters to gain exposure, discipline, and confidence through the sport. She is also passionate about using boxing as therapy for children on the autism spectrum, reinforcing boxing as a tool for empowerment rather than just competition.
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The Zambia event will include young female boxers from South Africa and other countries, giving them a rare international platform to showcase their skills alongside two pioneers of women’s boxing.
“This fight is bigger than me and Esther,” Almeida says. “It’s about showing young girls that women belong in this sport, that their careers matter, and that their stories don’t get erased or dismissed.”
Still, Almeida is unapologetically clear about her personal goal. “I’m going to beat Esther!” she insists.
“Not to humiliate her, but to close this chapter properly. Women’s boxing deserves honesty, not myths and excuses.”
As the countdown to March 2026 begins, the rematch promises not only fireworks in the ring, but a defining moment for women’s boxing in Africa, where legacy, truth, and the future collide.
Main Photo Caption: South African pioneer Sandra Almeida intends to settle a decade-long title controversy when she comes out of retirement to face Zambia’s Esther Phiri in a rematch dedicated to accountability and the future of African women’s boxing, in Zambia on 27 March 2026. All Photos: Supplied
