The fight will take place in Kovalev’s home country of Russia on Monday, July 11 in Ekaterinburg.
Chilemba is currently in his home country of South Africa and will participate in a conference call this Wednesday to give the media a chance to discuss his upcoming battle against Kovalev.
Prior to that, Chilemba spoke exclusively to World Boxing News about the upcoming challenge.
“First of all, I thank God for the blessings and opportunities. I thank my manager (Jodi Solomon) for standing up for me whether I’m on the top or at the bottom. I thank Main Events for yet another opportunity for me to redeem myself. And I thank my trainer (Buddy McGirt ) for believing in me,” said Chilemba.
“I have met a lot of obstacles and every time I think I got it right, I fall again. I know my goals and I never stop following my dreams, so when I received a call from Jodi regarding this opportunity I was over the moon. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“I thank Sergey and his team for putting their titles on the line to face me and all I wanna say to them is that they are in for a surprise. They have given the wrong guy an opportunity. I’ll work my ass off and I’m in to win it. Russia here we come!”
Kovalev-Chilemba will take place on the opening night of the International Industry Trade Fair “INNOPROM-2016” at the DIVS Palace of Sports and is sponsored by Russian Copper Company and Igor Altushkin and presented by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with German Titov Promotions.The fight will be televised live in Russia by Channel One.
