Isaac Chilemba feels he has been, and is being, disrespected by Sergey Kovalev as he approaches his July 11 shot at the light-heavyweight champ. Chilemba of South Africa is annoyed at the way Kovalev’s big November fight with Andre Ward has been announced and that he is seen as nothing more than a “stepping stone” for Kovalev. Speaking with Sowetan Live, Chilemba, 24-3-2(10) says he will make unbeaten puncher Kovalev pay for his disrespect and make history on the same night.
“Clearly they [Team-Kovalev] see me as a stepping stone; total disrespect,” Chilemba said prior to flying out to Russia for next Monday’s fight. “They are looking past me when we have not even fought which means they see me as just a sparring partner. I am going to teach him some manners and in the process make history by becoming the first African fighter to win three titles in one night. I am now going out with more reason to beat this guy.”
It’s fair to say that if Chilemba, a more than capable boxer with plenty of cute moves and fine durability, managed to pull off a points upset (a KO win would be simply mind-blowing!) it would easily rank as 2016’s Upset of The Year. It would also likely derail the hugely intriguing Ward fight. Chilemba can be expected to give Kovalev some problems, maybe win some rounds, but a “Krusher” win has to be the firm pick to make. With respect to Chilemba, the biggest question seems to be, can Kovalev, the WBA/IBF/WBO ruler, knock his man out a week today?
But it is good that Chilemba is entering the fight with some devil in him, determined as he is to prove his worth. It is to be hoped Kovalev hasn’t underestimated Chilemba, for the man can box – see his useful 2013 draw with current WBC cruiserweight champ Tony Bellew and his points win over the dangerous Edison Miranda the year before. But Chilemba is coming off a loss – a close decision defeat to Eleider Alvarez last November – and he is in Kovalev facing arguably the hardest puncher in the game.
Upsets do happen, of course, but it looks unlikely here.