chance opens up for chilemba

Malawi’s celebrated boxer Isaac Chilemba has a chance to reclaim the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) light heavyweight title following the council’s decision to order an elimination bout in which the winner will face the current champion Adonis Stevenson.

Chilemba said in an interview from the United States yesterday morning that as the top-ranked boxer in the WBC light heavyweight category, he will face either second-ranked Andrezj Fonfara (Polish) or third-ranked Eleider Alvarez (Colombian) on a date yet to be announced.

“The dates have not yet been determined, but I am hoping it will be in a few weeks time or within a month, but I will fight either Fonfara or Avarez and the winner will face Stevenson.

“I am happy with the development because it gives me a chance to challenge for the belt if I win the elimination bout which I am sure I will,” said the 28-year-old pugilist who boasts a record of 24 wins (10 knockouts), two losses and two draws.

Chilemba said he will come up with a plan for the elimination bout upon getting concrete information on the elimination bout.

“I will have to weigh the options, but if it will be within the next four to six weeks then I will continue with my preparations here [US], but if it will be beyond that then I will return to South Africa for a short break,” he said.

Initially, Chilemba was scheduled to have a non-title bout this Sunday, but the Navada Boxing Commission rejected the opponent which the match maker had identified because he did not meet the requirements.

Chilemba’s last bout was against Russian Vasily Lepikhin on March 14 this year in a Northern America Boxing Federation (NABF) which he won on unanimous points decision.

He first won the WBC light heavyweight title on March 26 2011 against Namibian Vikapita Meroro on unanimous points decision. The belt was later on declared vacant.

His last bid for the title was in May 2013 when he lost to Briton Tony Bellew in an elimination title bout on unanimous points decision in London.