Chilemba was defeated for the fifth time is his career – a third in a row, as the 29 year-old was forced to retire after eight rounds on the Andre Ward v Sergey Kovalev undercard in Las Vegas.
The Malawi-born fighter tore ligaments in his right elbow as early as the second round and was unable to fight through despite bravely lasting another six rounds.
Promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events, first of all, confirmed Chilemba’s need for surgery before the fighter himself then added that previous ailments will also be dealt with during his time out in order to gain full health before any return to action.
“Isaac needs surgery. There was a great deal of damage to the ligaments in his right lower arm and he will have the procedure done in New York soon,” Duva exclusively told World Boxing News.
Chilemba then informed WBN of three procedures in the coming days.
“I have three things I have to go through. First, I’m having surgery this coming Friday on my hip as I have meralgia paresthetica which have been affecting the performance on my right leg.
“Then on December 12 I have surgery on both my right and left elbows as I tore ligaments in my right elbow and I have pre-existing tennis elbow on my left,” he explained.
Recent reverses are certainly not the end of the line for Chilemba, who always gives a good account of himself and remains a tough test for anyone with world title ambitions at the 175 pound limit.
