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Chilemba seeks rematch against Russian

Celebrated South Africa-based Malawian boxer Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba is planning a rematch against Russian Maxim Vlasov between February and March next year.

The development comes weeks after Chilemba won his ‘comeback’ fight against another Russian opponent Alexander Kubich on unanimous points in an eight-round non-title cruiserweight bout in Thessalonika, Greece.

Chilemba (L) in the thick of things in a previous bout against Tony Bellew

Should Chilemba secure the rematch, it will give him a chance to avenge the defeat he suffered on unanimous points decision to Vlasov five months ago in a World Boxing Organisation (WBO) global light-heavyweight 12 hard-fought rounds in Gelendzhik, Russia.

“My team is planning for a rematch against Vlasov between February and March next year.

“It might not be a global title bout, but maybe on inter-continental level,” he said.

Chilemba, whose record stands at 26 wins and seven losses, had lost his six successive fights since March 2015 before his recent ‘comeback’ victory.

This includes losses to future champions OlexanderGvozdyk and Eleider Alvarez in non-title fights and decision losses to Sergey Kovalev and Dmitry Bivol in championship fights. He is also 3-3 against the Russians with wins over Vlasov, Denis Grachev and VasilyLepikhin.

Vlasov, on the other hand, boasts 44 wins and three losses.

He said the recent win over Kubich has given him confidence in the bid to relaunch his career which appeared to be on a downward plunge.

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