Chilemba unfazed by opponent’s home fans

Malawian boxer Isaac Chilemba says he is not scared of fighting an opponent who will enjoy massive home support when he faces Eleider Alvarez for the mandatory position in the WBC at Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada this Saturday.

Alvarez, 31, is originally from Apartado, Colombia, but now resides in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

But Chilemba has told Fightnews.com ahead of the fight that he is not afraid of marching into enemy territory.

“It really doesn’t matter where I fight. I don’t mind having no fans in the crowd, but, hopefully by the end of the fight, there will be fans that cheer for me,” Chilemba was quoted by Fightnews.com.

“I am just there to do my job. I hope everybody here in the US and Canada watching live and back at home in Malawi and South Africa will get to see a good fight.”

The winner will challenge Adonis “Superman” Stevenson for the WBC Light Heavyweight World Title next year.

For the last 10 years since his professional debut, Chilemba has climbed the light heavyweight echelon and is now top contender after defeating Vasily Lepikhin.

The fight against Alvares is Chilemba’s final step before realising his dream of fighting for a world championship belt.

But the boxer said he was focusing on the immediate task than the world title.

“As much as the goal is to get to Stevenson, right now the truth is my mind is on Alvarez. I have to get through this, but after that we will be talking about Stevenson. I am just concentrating on one target for now, but as soon as that is over then we are talking about the next target, Stevenson,” said Chilemba.

His trainer James McGirt also believes Chilemba is ready for the showdown.

Chilemba’s manager, Jodi Solomon, said the boxer worked hard to get the world title opportunity.

“I believe he will do what needs to be done,” she said. n