Chilemba lose on points but delighted with Malawi support in London
Malawi’s illustrious boxing star Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba lost the final eliminator for the WBC world light-heavyweight title against Tony Bellew in London on Saturday night.
The Malawian, who settled for a draw with Bellew in their first fight earlier this year in Liverpool, did put up what pundits said was a “courageous performance” despite his unanimous points loss.
The three judges scored the fight 116-112, 117-112 and 116-112 – giving Bellew a narrow edge over Chilemba to book a fight against Chad Dawson or Adonis Stevenson for the WBC strap.
The fight at the O2 Arena was on the undercard of the super-middleweight scrap between Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch which the later won on points.
“I am grateful to the moral support of Malawians in London who have been to see me and encouraged me,” said Chilemba from London.
He hailed the Malawi High Commissioner to London, Bernard Sande for visiting him at his hotel and for rallying behind Malawians in England to cheer him.
Felix Banda, who had been one of the Malawians to cheer Chilemba at O2 Arena, said the boxing envoy is a “great pride of Malawi”.
“He has lost this bout but the best is yet to come from Chilemba,” said Banda who earlier had a set of celebrity photo opportunity with 26-year-old Chilemba together with diplomat Sande.
Amongst notable people who watched Chilemba bout was Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney.
