WORLD International Boxing Association (WIBA) president Ryan Wissow has for the time being ruled out a rematch between Esther Phiri and America’s Terri Blair.

Phiri and Blair on Saturday slugged it out to a bruising draw in their 10-round bout for the vacant WIBA light welterweight title fight staged at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

Judge Alfred Buqwana scored the fight 96-94, Stephen Okumu card read 96-98 while Lillian Olero's card tied both fighters at 96-96.

Wissow said in a post-match interview that the WIBA light welterweight champion in recess Duda Yankovich was set to fight Phiri in May next year in Lusaka at a date to be announced.

And National Milling Corporation (NMC) managing director Peter Cottan also confirmed that a rematch was out and that Yankovich was their preferred choice of opponent in six months time.

"Esther will have another shot at the WIBA with champion in recess Duda Yankovich whom she was supposed to fight in this match but withdrew because of injury for a broken nose she suffered in June and had to have an operation," Wissow said.

Yankovich remains the top ranked fighter on the WIBA rankings despite being stripped of her belt over a technicality following her injury in June.

"Duda (Yankovich) has the first right of refusal to fight Esther and we are looking at a fight in six months time because that am told is how Esther’s contract with her sponsors has scheduled her to fight," he said.

33-year-old Serb-Brazilian Yankovich has a record of 12 fights with one defeat that came after 11 successive wins this year.

Yankovich suffered her only defeat to date in her last fight in June when she stepped up in weight in a WIBA welterweight title fight against holder Holly Holm.

And Cottan also added yesterday that it was Exodus and Esther’s sponsors’ roadmap not to promote rematches and that both parties will not divert from that policy.
"Esther will fight Duda Yankovich in May here in Lusaka and not Terri (Blair)," Cottan said.

Cottan said Exodus and the WIBA will discuss details of the Phiri-Yankovich fight soon.
However, Blair's trainer William Jarvis said he was in favour of a rematch sometime next year.

And Phiri at a press briefing yesterday at Pamodzi Hotel described the fight as tough.
"I had a tough fight. She (Terri Blair) is a good boxer - I learnt something. Need to think to use the brain," Phiri said.

Mwamba also said the fight had been tough and that the two boxers fought brilliantly.
And Blair said the fight had been action-packed throughout.

"It was a great fight. I am happy with the draw. For a rematch I am ready to fight that’s what I do, I love to fight," she said.
Jarvis said the boxers had fought valiantly.

"It was a great fight, both fought valiantly. It was a good fight. I would want a rematch," said Jarvis.