National Sports

Chilemba rejects proposed new date for Russia bout

Revered South Africa-based Malawian boxer Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba has rejected a July 27 date proposed by his highly-ranked Russian opponent Fedor Chudinov’s team for their non-title bout.

The former International Boxing Organisation (IBO) world champion said his team declined the date because he needed more time to work on his fitness following the lockdown in the Rainbow Nation.

Chilemba (L) taking on Russian Dmitry Bivol in a previous fight

He said: “My team felt the date is too close for me to pick up fitness. So, we are waiting for the next available date, probably in August or September.”

Nevertheless, Chilemba, 33,  said he has intensified preparations for the bout.

“It’s all looking good and I am picking up. It has been quite a while since I stepped into the ring, but I am getting there,” he said.

Initially, the two were supposed to fight on March 21 in Russia, butthe bout was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two are expected to fight in super middleweight category, which is a division below Chilemba’s usual light heavyweight category. Chilemba is currently working on shedding off some weight.

He boasts 26 wins (10 TKOs), seven losses (one TKO) and two draws.

The Golden Boy won his last bout on unanimous points decision against another Russian Alexander Kubich in Greece last December.

On the other hand, Chudinov who is also 33, boasts 25 wins and a loss to multiple world champion George Groves

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