Chilemba’s injury serious—doctor
South Africa-based Malawian revered boxer Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba could be reduced to a sideshow much longer than anticipated due to the seriousness of his right elbow injury.
Chilemba was supposed to undergo an elbow surgery in the United States (US) last week Wednesday, but according to him, after going through the MRI results, the doctor has established that the injury is complicated.
“He [the doctor] says there are more problems than we all thought. There are more cracked bones, torn ligaments and muscles and there is also fluid in my joint socket.
“So, after being briefed about the situation, he has postponed the surgery pending further study and consultations with other fellow specialists.
“I will hear from him again tomorrow [today], latest Wednesday on the way forward,” said Chilemba from the States yesterday.
However, the 29-year-old former IBO super middleweight and WBC international light-heavyweight champion said the doctor did not hint on how long it would take for the injury to heal.
“Probably when I meet him tomorrow or the other day.”
Chilemba suffered the elbow injury during his North America Boxing Federation (Nabf) light heavyweight title bout against Aleksandr Gvozdyk in which he retired after the eighth round.
“I messed up in the second round of the fight and from then on, I had only the left side to use up until the pain became unbearable and I had no choice but to stop the fight,” said Chilemba who boasts 24 wins (10 knockouts), five losses (one knockout) and two draws.
Ironically, Chilemba also had another hip surgery postponed two weeks ago in South Africa before his trip to the States on doctor’s recommendation that he could not be operated on ahead of his long trip.
The hip surgery was re-rescheduled to next month.
According to Chilemba, he has suffered from the hip problem for four years now.
“At first it was tingling then I started feeling numb. After sometime, I completely lost the feeling on my thigh for about a year and now it burns all the time. Sometimes I cannot stand on my leg and I have had to stop training,” he said. n
Hang up your gloves golden boy, your life is important than keep chasing for money at the expense of your own life…2 pending complicated surgeries should not be taken lightly buddy. There are other things you could be doing for money other than risk your life in the ring. You have done your part, let others continue. God be with you!