Chilemba’s bout cancelled
Revered South Africa-based boxer Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba’s international super middleweight bout against Cuban Ihosvany Rafael Garcia, which was scheduled for March 18 in Poland, has been cancelled.
In an interview, Chilemba, a former International Boxing Organisation world champion, said the bout has been postponed due to logistical challenges.
He said: “I have just been told by my manager that the fight is off indefinitely and they will be working to reschedule it. Otherwise, I was ready so was my team.”
The 34-year-old, considered by many as the best Malawian boxer ever, said while it is a setback, he will continue training.
He said: “I am certain my team will work out something pretty soon.
“Apart from keeping fit, I am also training Dennis ‘The Menace’ Mwale for his upcoming national title fight against Hannock Phiri there at home in April.”
Chilemba, with a 1.88 metres reach, boasts 27 wins, including 11 knockouts (KOs), nine defeats (a single KO) and three draws while Garcia, whose reach is 1.85m, has seven straight wins.
His last fight was a second round knockout victory against Tanzanian Mbaruku Kheri in October last year in Johannesburg.
Recently, Chilemba hinted at retiring following a couple of losses, but changed his mind following the intervention of some stakeholders, including the South African boxing fraternity and the Malawi Professional Boxing Control board.
Since making his professional debut in 2005 in the rainbow nation, Chilemba has never fought on home soil but the boxing board is planning one before he hangs up his gloves
