Chilemba wins comeback fight
South Africa-based Malawian boxer Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba produced a golden performance on Friday when it mattered most to beat Russian boxer Alexander Kubich in an eight-round non-title cruiserweight bout in Thessalonika, Greece.
The unanimous points decision victory, was what he needed to avoid a second consecutive loss, which would have put the future of his career in jeopardy.
In a phone interview yesterday, Chilemba confessed that the bout was important for him to revive his career which was blighted after injury.
“It was a good fight. I won every round. I’m happy that I’m back. This was just a comeback fight. Of course, I knew I would win based on self-confidence and my abilities. Now, I will see, after speaking to my manager when we get home, about what’s next and how soon I will be back in the ring,” he said.
Chilemba paid tribute to his team of Joddie Solomon (trainer), Roy Jones Jnr (second trainer) and Sibusiso Shabane (cutman), saying: “We came and we got. Thanks to my team.”
Chilemba’s former trainer Andson Kazembe, who is also based in South Africa, commended him for the victory.
“He needed this win to resurrect his career. I am glad he salvaged a win,” he said.
Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board president Lonzoe Zimba also said the victory had proved ‘Doubting Thomases’ wrong.
“That’s what we expected because some people thought that he is finished after losing in July. We knew that after injury one loses steam, but he has come back with a bang,” Zimba said.
Chilemba’s last bout was in July, and he lost to Russian Maxim Vlasow on unanimous points decision. His record stands at 26 wins (10 technical knockouts), seven losses and two draws while Kubich boasts 16 fights from which he has won 10 (TKO), now lost six (one TKO) and drawn once.
