Malawi ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba sets eyes on big prize
Malawi’s sensational boxing export, ‘Golden Boy’ Isaac Chilemba is poised to write his name in the annals of history and is geared up to become the unified Light Heavyweight world champion when he takes on a hardnosed boxing Russian world champion boxer and defending IBF/WBA/WBO world champion.
The Blantyre-born and bred boxing boy wonder, Isaac Chilemba, 28 will tonight Monday, July 11, 2016 fight world champion Sergey Kovalev, 32 -year-old hard-nosed Russian pound-for-pound boxer who will be defending his IBF/WBA/WBO 175lb titles at home at the Palace of Sports in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
This is the first time in history that an African boxer has contested for a unified title in such a prestigious category.
Chilemba who has an impressive record of 24 wins 3 draws and 2 losses, 10 of his wins are through Technical Knock Outs (TKO) in a telephone interview with Nyasa Times says he will leave any stone unturned to take home the titles by beating the defending champion to a pulp.
“I am very well prepared for this fight and I am ready to be crowned the champion of the world. I did not just come here to participate in the fight; I am here to win the titles,” said the soft-spoken Chilemba.
The Malawian boxing protégé, Chilemba emphasized that the preparations for tonight’s fight is the best he has ever had as a professional fighter saying that he has worked harder than he has ever done before.
“We went a bit old school and streetwise this time and I have worked so hard on strength and speed. I’m fighting the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and when I defeat him tonight, I’ll be the finest pound-for-pound champion on earth.
Chilemba’s Russian opponent has an astounding record of 29 wins, no draw and 1 loss with 26 wins as Technical Knock Outs.
Asked what it feels to carry the Malawian flag to the world stage as a boxer Chilemba calmly replied: “It brings such joy to know that someone from a humble beginning in a small African country like Malawi can be on the world’s eye level, making history, and knowing that, that person is myself, it gives me fire under my feet to go further and win it.”
He added: “I’m not only doing this for me. I am doing this for my country of birth, I am doing this for my family and I am doing this for my African continent. In fact, I am doing this for my generation and to inspire the next one.”
Chilemba thanked all Malawians for the support.
“Tonight, I’m fighting the undefeated, feared, and the most hard-hitting fighter in light-heavyweight division in the modern day. I’m fighting him in his territory and at his own backyard, and I’m going to make history that no other fighter coming out of Africa has ever done.
“I’ll be the first man to win 3 major world titles in one night and of course the first to defeat Kovalev at the place he actually killed a man in the ring last time he fought and it is at the same venue.”
Chilemba warns his opponent that he will not get it easier with him and that he must be prepared for the worse because he (Chilemba) is prepared for the worst.
He cautioned: “All I can say to my opponent is; I have been to hell will and back and I survived. Nothing nor no man will stop me getting where I wanna be. I will not give him the luxury to beat me at the expense of my destiny. Tonight is a win or nothing for me.”
For most Malawians Chilemba is not a strange name but he remains largely uncelebrated in the Malawian sports scene. He has proudly carried the Malawian flag to some of the world’s most prestigious sports arenas and will continue to do so. He is a former WBC Lightweight and remains Africa’s greatest prospect.
Chilemba said two weeks ago he met up with his Malawian compatriot; South African based socialite McBride Nkhalamba who inspired him to win the bout by all means necessary.
“Two weeks ago I met Mr. McBride Nkhalamba who stimulated my ego to win this fight and I am very enthused to out of the arena tonight the champion of the world. Mr. Nkhalamba told me that the only person who can stop me from becoming the world champion and winning three world titles in one night is nobody but me,” said Chilemba.
“At first, I didn’t get him but after thinking it through I understand what he meant and I will not stop myself from winning and in the same vein I will not allow anyone to stop me. I am ready to be the champion of the world. The time is now and not anytime,” added the pugilist.
In an Interview with Nyasa Times, Nkhalamba said he has a lot of faith in Chilemba and that he believes that the golden boy is going to make it big as a boxer in the world.
“I had a chat with him (Chilemba) two weeks ago and I am impressed beyond measure that he is a champion. He has all it takes to rule the world as a boxer. He is also a very good man, so humble and he hasn’t allowed his success to change him or go through his head,” said Nkhalamba.
Chilemba started his boxing career in the early 2000 in Malawi’s commercial city of Blantyre under the guidance and training of the country’s top boxing Trainer Andson Kazembe.
He has been described by the international boxing media as a slick, stylish and clever boxer with developed defense flair and is being tipped to be the world boxing’s next thing.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :