Chilemba impresses despite loss

Revered South Africa-based boxer Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba made an impressive return to the ring on Thursday after nearly two years despite a unanimous points defeat to Cuban Lenar Perez. In a bout monitored on DAZN, the Malawian former International Boxing Organisation (IBO) super middleweight world champion turned back the hands of time with a spirited display over 10 rounds in a World Boxing Council (WBC) continental light heavyweight title bout in Montreal, Canada. It was only the second time for the Cuban to win on points, having won his other 14 other bouts through knockouts.

The world’s third ranked cruiserweight boxer is undefeated. On the other hand, the 38-year-old Chilemba’s record now stands at 27 wins, 11 defeats and three draws. According to boxing scene.com, Perez earned scores of 100-90 on all three cards.

He had an advantage going into the bout with a division larger than Chilembaa career light heavyweight. The Cuban gave Chilemba lots of angles to dodge punches from, coming between the gloves and around them as well, plus straight down the middle with right hands when he countered the jabs of his opponent. On the other hand, the ‘Golden Boy’ remained game early on, countering with double jabs and hooks.

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But the elusiveness of his upper-body movement along the ropes began to slow near the end of the third round, allowing Perez to land overhand rights. Sensing that he needed to make a statement to avoid getting run over, Chilemba began pressing the action in the middle rounds, which gave Perez opportunities to land right hands from distance that did damage. Perez caused more damage in the sixth as he fired eight straight right hands that sent Chilemba retreating across the ring, but the Malawian veteran boxer did not wilt despite his inactivity, using his high guard and rolling to take the power off Perez’s biggest shots, while offering back a pot shot here and there.

Despite the latest defeat, Chilemba’s performance was far impressive compared to his previous bout against Russian Alexei Papin which he lost through second round knockout. Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board president Lonzoe Defector Zimba hailed Chilemba’s performance. “Considering several factors, he did well.

He was up against a younger opponent who had won all but one of his fights through knockouts and he has been out of action for nearly two years. I would say it was an impressive comeback and he needs to build up from there,” he said.

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