Chilemba to fight in Malawi
Decorated pugilist Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba has established a promotion outfit in South Africa to promote Malawi boxers and also to stage his first-ever fight on home soil since turning professional in 2005.
The former World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) international champion has since, through his Chilemba Promotions engaged the Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) to seek corporate and government support.
“We will stage no less than three fights a year from development fights to title fights [from next year]. This will include international fighters. We want to take Malawi boxing to another level. For all this to be successful, we need Malawi Government to come on board which we are in the process of discussing,” Chilemba said through e-mail on Friday.
The 26-year-old has since courted local DStv franchise holders MultiChoice Malawi Limited to consider getting on board to promote the fights on SuperSport television channels.
“I would love to fight on my home soil. We are planning to stage my fight, but my world title fight there has to involve large TV such as HBO. We have a lot in our books to educate home people from trainers, managers, promoters, sponsors and fighters,” said the boxer who beat Ghanaian Michael Gbega last week in America.
MultiChioce sales and marketing manager Chimwemwe Nyirenda on Monday confirmed receiving a proposal from South Africa-based Chilemba Promotions which comprises Jodi Solomon (manager), trainers Stephen Castle and Andson Kazembe.
“His main interest is in the television side. But this goes back to an issue of television equipment. In terms of promoting fights on SuperSport, we can do that,” Nyirenda explained, adding that the proposal is at planning stage.
Sports Council executive secretary George Jana said Chilemba had not written to them directly.
Chilemba also owns Wild Cats Gym in Johannesburg and he assured that he has financial support to realise his dream.
“We have seen in passing a proposal copied to us [by Maba] but there is need for clarity in terms of what he requires from government. It is an issue that requires more discussion between him and the association,” said Jana.
Maba vice-president Henry Sakala said Chilemba’s proposal was long overdue.
“This is what we have been crying for that he needs to remember his home,” he said while the association’s secretary general Arthur Nanthuru said they could support Chilemba technically.
