Chilemba hopes to bounce back in August

Celebrated Malawian boxer Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba has said he is hoping to bounce back into the ring in August after failing the WBC light-heavyweight title bid.

Chilemba lost to Briton Anthony Bellew a fortnight ago in London.

“I will be back, looking forward to having a comeback fight probably in August.

“I have not yet identified an opponent, but my management is working on it,” said Chilemba from Cape Town, South Africa, where he is taking a breather.

He reiterated that he lost the bout to Bellew because he was not in the mood.

“Talk about the fight, I had an off night, my body could not do what my mind wanted.

“Scoring it was very close, but I think he [Bellew] did enough to win it this time,” said the ‘Golden Boy’.

Chilemba, considered as one of the best pugilists ever to have emerged on the domestic scene, posted on his Facebook page soon after the bout that he was disappointed to lose.

Two judges scored the bout 116-112 and the third judge 117-112 to Bellew to deny the Malawian boxing icon a shot at the WBC.

He also insisted that Bellew is not better than him despite losing on unanimous points decision in the bout held at O2 Arena in London.

 However, the 26-year-old Chilemba congratulated his opponent for winning to become a mandatory challenger to Chad Dawson or Adonis Stevenson, who meet next month.

“I [am] still feeling very disappointed. Losing is one thing, but losing the way I did hurts more. Bellew isn’t a better fighter than me (well done to him for winning). I was just off on the night,” Chilemba said.

He also vowed to recover from the loss.

“The ‘Golden Boy’ is not finished yet, I will be back stronger and more determined than ever,” he declared.

His record after the loss stands at 20 wins, two draws and two losses since turning professional in South Africa in 2005.