Eleider Alvarez edges Isaac Chilemba, earns title shot against Adonis Stevenson

Eleider Alvarez is now in line for his first world-title shot.

The Colombian puncher outpointed Isaac Chilemba via scores of 114-114, 118-110 and 115-113 on Saturday in the co-feature on Showtime at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada. With the win, Alvarez (19-0, 10 KOs) became the No. 1 contender to the WBC light heavyweight title held by countryman Adonis Stevenson.

"I knew I had to finish the later rounds strong, but I believe I did enough to win the fight," Alvarez said. "I'm ready to accept the challenge. To be the world champion, you have to beat the champion. So that's what I aim to do."

It was a close fight with many tough rounds to score, but judges clearly favored Alvarez's cleaner, harder shots. The 31-year-old controlled the early rounds with his pressure, but Chilemba (24-3-2, 10 KOs) responded over the middle frames. The awkward South African was able to befuddle Alvarez with angles and was effective in the middle of the ring.

The fight was decided by Round 12, though, and Alvarez won the frame on all three cards. If Chilemba had won the final round, it would have been declared a draw.

"I thought I did enough to win it," said an emotional Chilemba. "But it is what it is. I guess you can call it a hometown decision."

The only judge who had it even, however, was the one from Canada.