Bivol vs Chilemba Aug.4th HBO

[MMALOPEZ]

Light heavyweight world titleholder Dmitry Bivol (13-0, 11 KOs), 27, of Russia, who is slated to make his third defense on Aug. 4 (HBO), could face former title challenger Isaac Chilemba (25-5-2, 10 KOs), 31, a native of Malawi fighting out of South Africa. “Chilemba is one of the possible opponents for Bivol,” Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager, told ESPN on Tuesday. “We will know for sure in the next couple of days.” Bivol’s fight will serve as the co-feature on the card headlined by light heavyweight world titlist Sergey Kovalev (32-2-1, 28 KOs) defending against Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (23-0, 11 KOs) at the Mark G. Etess Arena at the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, which opens on June 28. Bivol impressively stopped contender Sullivan Barrera in the 12th round on March 3 on Kovalev’s previous undercard. Chilemba, who is coming off a unanimous decision win over former title challenger Blake Caparello on March 16 in Australia, lost his only previous world title bout, a decision to Kovalev in Russia in July 2016. Chilemba also lost a disputed majority decision to Alvarez in a 2015 title eliminator.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer1h ago

 

[ironfist05]

decent fight. Chilemba can fight. Not earth shattering, but it'll do as an intermediary fight until Bivol and Kov go at it.

 

[JayE]

Yeah, Chilemba can go some rounds and give Bivol some work. He isn't offensively capable enough to be much of a threat, but Bivol will likely have to work to get the stoppage.

 

[Queen B]

Meh, Chilemba is the Ishe Smith of LHW.

A gate-keeper often in boring fights brought in to lose but actually makes their opponent look bad, to see if you are ready for Championship level. Bivol already proved that he is ready by beating Sullivan. Chilemba is a step down for Sullivan, but Kathy Duva said she wants to create more of a buzz for Bivol.

Chilemba I believe was chosen because they couldnt find Bivol an opponent, and I heard they almost took him off the card.

 

[randomg1t]

i don't even mind, as long as bivol fights.

 

[ArtemV]

It is good that Bivol gets a fight, this fight shouldn't last longer than the 8th round.

I hope Bivol can continue to improve, then fight Kovalev in Moscow.

 

[JayE]

It is good that Bivol gets a fight, this fight shouldn't last longer than the 8th round.

I hope Bivol can continue to improve, then fight Kovalev in Moscow.

I doubt they'd make that fight in Moscow unless Bivol changes promotion and a ton of money is put up. HBO and Duva (why he'd sign with Duva is beyond me, but whatever) seem to think they can build him up in the US.

 

[Seano]

decent fight. Chilemba can fight. Not earth shattering, but it'll do as an intermediary fight until Bivol and Kov go at it.

Yeah, Chilemba can go some rounds and give Bivol some work. He isn't offensively capable enough to be much of a threat, but Bivol will likely have to work to get the stoppage.

This fight is trash. Chilemba hasn't had a significant win in his career. He's just a guy who has lost to a bunch of big names. Bivol should be fighting someone further up the ladder, not some gatekeeper who is 1-3 in his last 4.

 

[ArtemV]

I doubt they'd make that fight in Moscow unless Bivol changes promotion and a ton of money is put up. HBO and Duva (why he'd sign with Duva is beyond me, but whatever) seem to think they can build him up in the US.

Damn, I hope by some miracle it would happen.. I just want to go to a big boxing fight. Like Gassiev vs Usyk, Lomachenko, GGG and/or Bivol vs Kovalev.

 

[JayE]

This fight is trash. Chilemba hasn't had a significant win in his career. He's just a guy who has lost to a bunch of big names. Bivol should be fighting someone further up the ladder, not some gatekeeper who is 1-3 in his last 4.

It's a stay busy fight that is meant to give him more rounds and be a showcase. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[JayE]

Damn, I hope by some miracle it would happen.. I just want to go to a big boxing fight. Like Gassiev vs Usyk, Lomachenko, GGG and/or Bivol vs Kovalev.

Hold out hope that Ryabinsky puts up some exorbitant amount in a purse bid for Joshua/Povetkin.

 

[ArtemV]

Hold out hope that Ryabinsky puts up some exorbitant amount in a purse bid for Joshua/Povetkin.

Anything but that fight ahaha, I don't hold much hope in Povetkin putting on anything close to a good performance vs Joshua.. Joshua should finish him by the 6th round. Povetkin is really tough though. But got dropped hard in his last fight.

 

[ironfist05]

This fight is trash. Chilemba hasn't had a significant win in his career. He's just a guy who has lost to a bunch of big names. Bivol should be fighting someone further up the ladder, not some gatekeeper who is 1-3 in his last 4.

ehhh, Chilemba gave Kov some pretty tough rounds; that's not enough to be top tier, but it does mean the guy can pose problems for the top tier, problems which we should see if Bivol is able to solve or not. Nobody is saying the guy is elite, but it's a good stay busy fight as we wait for the inevitable unification with Kov.