Chilemba set to drop on world rankings
Celebrated Malawian boxer Isaac Chilemba is expected to drop from the summit of the World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight rankings following his loss to Canadian Eleider Alvarez last Saturday on a majority decision.
Speaking in an interview from his base in Johannesburg, South Africa Thursday morning, Chilemba who openly wept in disbelief after the results were announced, said he expects to drop from first to either second or third position.
“The rankings are done on a monthly basis and having lost a title eliminator, I should drop to either second or third.
“Not only was the prospect of dropping on the rankings devastating but also the manner through which I lost the bout because I believe I won the fight,” said the 28-year-old former world champion.
“Those that watched the fight coupled with many international reports are testimony that I should have been awarded the fight, but it is one of those things. Perhaps I could have done much better.”
Following the win, Alvarez is now the WBC mandatory challenger to WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson next year.
However, Chilemba whose record now stands at 24 wins, three losses and two draws, vowed to bounce back stronger next year.
“I am yet to plan for next year, but I will be back and better. If I could have two bouts then I will be eligible to revive my bid for the title,” he said.
The judges’ final scores were 114-114, 118-110 and 115-113, but Boxing News 24 described the 118-110 score as ridiculous.
“The fight was a lot closer than that score. The unbeaten Eleider Alvarez who boasts19-0, (including 10 KOs) fought well in the first four rounds, but Chilemba appeared to take over the fight from the fifth round on and dominated the action.
“Alvarez looked tired and spent in the last eight rounds, and not properly motivated to attack Chilemba like he had in the first four rounds of the fight,” reported the online boxing publication.
However, local boxing promoter Mike Chitenje said it is high time Chilemba mastered the art of knockouts.
“I too watched the fight on TV and, to a certain extent, I felt Chilemba had an edge. It was not the first time for him to lose in controversial circumstances and the only way out is for him to go for knockouts. He should develop the killer punch,” said Chitenje. n
