Chilemba backtracks on Olympic Games
South Africa-based Malawian boxer Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba has backtracked on his earlier interest to represent the country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
He expressed his interest to represent Malawi after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to incorporate professional boxers at the Olympics.
Chilemba said: “I have given up on Olympics as, firstly, it is unfair to young amateur fighters and also some of the boxing bodies disagreed with the idea.
“So right now, I have just switched my focus to regaining a world championship. Currently, with my team we are in Greece as I’m fighting on December 13. It will be an eight-round cruiserweight division bout against Alexander Kubich of Russia.”
The boxer was quoted by The Nation in October as having said that he was motivated after Mexico requested former WBC heavyweight boxer Andy Ruiz to fight at the Olympics.
“Since professional boxers are now allowed to fight at the Olympic Games, I would also wish to represent my country. I see Mexico has requested a WBC heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz to fight at the Olympics next year.
“It has always been my dream to be part of it, now that an opportunity is on the table, I would love to do so,” he was quoted as saying.
In an interview, Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) president Oscar Kanjala confirmed that IOC made it open for professional boxers to fight at the Olympics, “On condition that the amateur rules will also apply”.
