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Fists of Phiri

By Jim Caple

Friday, September 26, 2008

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Esther Phiri stares up at the Daemonen, a massive, screeching beast the likes of which she has never before seen in her 25 years of life, a frightening, twisted monster that towers 92 dizzying feet above ground and turns her stomach. Esther has survived the slums of Lusaka, Zambia, eking out a living as a vegetable seller in one of the poorest nations on earth, calmly faced down menacing opponents in the boxing ring, fought for herself, her daughter and her extended family without fear, won a world championship belt. But this hulking Daemonen, this ghastly Daemonen -- this thing -- intimidates the champ as no opponent ever has.

"So do you want to ride the roller coaster?" a reporter asks.

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