by James Slater – 27-year-old Philly fighter “Fast” Eddie Chambers delivered big style last night in Germany. Putting on a career-best performance at a career-fittest weight of 208 or so pounds, the once-beaten contender put himself in line for a WBO shot at Wladimir Klitschko courtesy of his dominant beating over the previously undefeated and much bigger and heavier Alexander Dimitrenko.
Going into the fight, a fight Chambers just had to win, we knew he’d worked hard judging by the new and improved physique he sported at the weigh-in. Able to fight harder and more aggressively as a result of his greater fitness, Chambers showed us his real talent as never before. The question now is, can the 6’1″ American – very possibly the best young heavy in the US – go on and beat another big man, in the WBO and IBF heavyweight ruler known as “Dr. Steel Hammer?.”
Chambers sure proved he can handle a big guy last night. Going into the fight, many fans and experts said that the approx 250-pound Dimitrenko would be too strong and heavy-handed for the man who is now 35-1(18). Not a chance. Not only did Chambers outclass Dimitrenko, he even bullied him, decked him twice officially, and came damn close to really causing a shock and stopping him. Not known as a big puncher, there was enough spite in Chamber’s work last night.
Of course, Klitschko, with his telephone pole of a left jab, is a far more frightening proposition for Chambers (and anyone else) than Dimitrenko. But for the first time, it seems America has a young and talented heavyweight who they can get behind and believe in when it comes to bringing a belt back home. No longer can anyone accuse Chambers of being lazy or too negative and safety first. It’s taken a little longer than it should have, but finally, Chambers has put it all together. He can only get better from here on in.
Alexander Povetkin, the only man to have beaten Chambers, will likely get to Klitschko first. Waiting his turn patiently, the IBF number-one contender may get his chance in September. Assuming Wladimir beats him, though, it will then probably be “Fast” Eddie’s turn (unless Klitschko sees to it that he fits in a voluntary defence first). But eventually, maybe after he’s had another fight or two that will further improve his confidence, Chambers will get his shot.
Style-wise, with his fast hands and his slick defensive moves, Chambers just might give the slower champion fits when they do meet. Sure, Wladimir will be the betting favourite, and rightly so, but no longer can anyone sneer at Chambers’ chances of pulling off the points win. Showing great character in coming back from the Povetkin loss as a much better and more determined fighter, Chambers has already won our respect.
If he goes on to become a real sensation by upsetting the mighty Klitschko, this respect will be doubled, if not tripled!