Nigeria’s Mathew Obinna (22-0-0-22KO) is set to face Malawi’s Isaac Chilemba (27-9-3-11KO) for the vacant Universal Boxing Organisation world light heavyweight title.
The Lagos-born 35-year-old pugilist will be in hostile territory as his clash with Chilemba holds at the Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe in Malawi September 30.
Mathew was last in the ring September 24, 2022, when he secured a Technical Knockout victory over Joe John in the second round of their bout at the Brai Ayanote Boxing Gym inside the National Stadium, Lagos.
Unquestionably the biggest boxing event in the East African country’s history, a huge crowd is expected for what will be an unforgettable and highly anticipated clash between KO specialist Mathew and the former IBO world champion Chilemba.
Based in South Africa, Chilemba will be fighting in his home-country for the first time, having competed all over the world since turning professional at 17 in 2005.
Besides winning the IBO world title at Super Middleweight, “The Golden Boy” has also captured African Boxing Union, WBO Africa, WBC International and NABF titles at Light Heavyweight.
This will be his third attempt to become a two-division world champion, after losing decisions to Light Heavyweight titlists Sergey Kovalev (IBF, WBA, WBO) and Dmitrii Bivol (WBA) in 2016 and 2018.
Obinna enters the biggest stage of his career without a single defeat and having stopped all of his opponents inside the distance and will be hoping to clinch a first world title.
Both 35, Chilemba is undoubtedly the more accomplished of the two contenders, but Obinna caries enough power to have more than an average chance against any opponent, which makes this a highly interesting match-up.
The massive card will see a long line of local favourites on the undercard, fighting strong opponents as a lead-up to the world championship main event.
