03.05.07 – Photos by Tom Casino/Showtime: Undefeated “Fast” Eddie Chambers (28-0, 16 KOs) faces Dominick “The Southern Disaster’’ Guinn (28-4-1, 19 KOs) in the 10-round main event Friday, May 4, 2007, on “ShoBox: The New Generation” (live on SHOWTIME, 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). In the second half of the heavyweight twinbill, undefeated, hard-hitting Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola (19-0, 17 KOs) will meet streaking “ShoBox’’ alum and late replacement, Malcolm “The Show Stopper’’ Tann (23-0, 12 KOs).
Tann, who has never been knocked out, has won seven in a row and 15 of 16. The six-foot-six Tann is subbing for Devin Vargas, who withdrew earlier this week after he hyper-extended an elbow during sparring.’
Former two-time world heavyweight champion Chris Byrd will serve as special guest commentator on the telecast, joining “ShoBox” announcers Nick Charles (blow-by-blow) and Steve Farhood (color analyst). The event will be presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and originate from Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nev.
NOTE: WEIGHTS – Chambers weighed 214 pounds at Thursday’s weigh-in.; Guinn tipped the scale at 222. Arreola weighed 235, Tann 230.
EDDIE CHAMBERS
“I’ve been taking my time since turning pro, taking a little step up each fight, and I have been brought up perfectly. This is obviously another big step, but these are the kinds of fights guys like me are supposed to take. I really feel, especially after my last few fights, that I have developed into a legitimate contender.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I am looking really forward to Friday, but there is no way I take Dominick Guinn lightly. Just a couple years ago, they were saying the same kind of things about him that they are saying about me now. Maybe more so, in fact, with him. Many felt Guinn would be a world champion.
“He is still a great, very dangerous fighter and is as technically sound as one can be. I expect him to come out eagerly and strongly. I don’t think he moves as well as he once did, so hopefully I can exploit that.
“I feel pressure, but the kind of pressure that is necessary for this type of fight. This is a great chance for Guinn to make a name for himself again and restore some of the notoriety he once had. This is going to be a great fight, a really hard fight. But I am confident I will win.
“I am grateful for SHOWTIME for giving me the chance to show what I can do. ’’
DOMINICK GUINN
“I am really ready to go and get it started again. As long as the lights go on, it’s ‘Showtime.’
“Chambers is a good fighter, slick and fast. I have nothing bad to say about him. He is an incredibly nice guy. But I have worked harder for this fight than any in a long time, and have been able to go about my business with a clear mind. That wasn’t always the case before.
“I have some losses, but I don’t feel as if I have ever been beaten. It never comes down to what the other guys did, but what I didn’t do. I beat myself by not letting my hands go.
“Chambers’ team is making a big mistake fighting me. They think they are getting the Dominick that doesn’t throw punches. But, everyone will see. This is the new and improved Dominick, not the old one.
“I am ready to fight 10 hard rounds.’’
CRISTOBAL ARREOLA
“Tann is talking about how we were supposed to fight before, and how I pulled out on him, but I never got that memo. I don’t know what he is talking about. But he can say what he wants. Honestly, I know he is a big guy, but I have not paid a lot of attention to him. I’m just happy to be fighting and keeping busy.
“It doesn’t matter who I fight because I am always ready. I love being able to train and look forward to a fight. I hate just sitting around the house with nothing on tap.
“I feel it is a privilege for people to consider me a top prospect. They always bring up the fact that I am a Mexican heavyweight, but, really, I do not think about it that much. I do know that once the fight starts, it doesn’t take much for the Mexican to come out of me.
“My focus always is on winning and putting on a show for the fans in attendance and those watching on television. I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform well for the fans. I want three or four more fights this year and then go after the top guys. I am willing to take my time, but I don’t want to wait too long.’’
MALCOLM TANN
“This is big – really big and a great opportunity for me. I was going to fight on this card anyway so I am in shape. Arreola was supposed to fight me Feb. 9. I gave up my Christmas holiday to stay in training for me. Then, he decided he didn’t want to fight.
“So, yes, I have some unfinished business. I am very confident and extremely prepared. This is the first time in two years I will enter a fight totally injury-free.
“Arreola is a pressure-fighter but the guys he’s been with him have allowed him to be that way. Let’s see how he reacts against me. He can try to pressure me all he wants, but I am going to fight back.’’