Malawi's top notch boxing export, Isaac Golden Boy Chilemba's hopes for a title fight this year have been shattered after failing to secure highly rated WBO light-weight chanpion Nathan Cleverly's title defence set for Novemer 10 in the US.

Chilemba took the risk to face the highly rated Cleverly after the initial challenger for the Welsh world champion Vyacheslav Uzelkov withdrew.

In a telephone interview from his base Johannesburg, South Africa on a disappointed Chilemba said after the Russian opponent withdrew he was hoping to take up the challenge.

"I was offered a title fight against WBO light-heavy¬weight champion Nathan Cleverly on November 10 or 11 but it didn't come through because they are getting some¬one," Chilemba said.

He said Cleverly was not happy to take on Chilemba.

"When his opponent pulled out they contacted my man¬ager but he [Nathan] was not happy with that because Iam outside the top five," he said.

The soft-spoken beast of the ring said he would push to fight more non-title fights to improve on his rankings.

This would give him a chance to challenge title hold¬ers.

"I don't have the power to demand a fight whether the champion likes it or not because Iam currently ranked 8 in WBC, 8 WBO and six in IBF."

The boxer said he was hoping to fight a non-title bout in December to help improve on his rankings.

His boxing trainer Andson Kazembe confirmed the development.

"There was something big coming but it seems it won't work," Kazembe said.

Boxing analyst Elson Mwankhomwa said Chilemba was eligible to face the champion because he is in the top 10.

Mwankhomwa also backed Chilemba for moving to¬wards the fight.

"When you fight against the champion that's where the money is," Mwankhomwa said.

"If a boxer beats a champion, he wins the title and if he loses, he is given another chance."

Cleverly has 24 records with 11 knock-outs and no defeat.