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“Fast” Eddie Chambers Back in the US and Ready to Go - Doghouse Interview  By Ken Hissner, Dog House Boxing (Sept 25, 2015)Tweet Follow @DoghouseBoxing |
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Chambers was 9-0 when he came to Philly and Matchmaker Don Elbaum made him a regular at the legendary Blue Horizon for promoter Vernoca Michael winning 17 straight fights there from May of 2002 through June of 2006 improving his record to 26-0. Chambers then signed with Goosen-Tutor in CA. He got 4 wins and after defeating top contender Calvin Brock, 31-1, in an IBF title elimination he was matched with the now WBA heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin, then only 14-0, held in Germany. Chambers did well winning after the first 5 rounds but tired as the Olympic Gold medalists took the second half of the fight and the decision. Chambers then found himself in the Cayman Islands somehow fighting for the USBA title defeating Raphael Butler, 31-4 in 6 rounds. He then came back east to score a win at the Blue Horizon improving his record there at 18-0. Two fights later he defeated hard punching Nigerian Samuel Peter, 30-2, by majority decision. Then back to Germany to win another majority decision over Ukranian Alexander Dimitrenko, 29-0, in a WBO title eliminator earning a shot at Wladimir Klitschko, 53-3, in Germany for the IBF, WBO and IBO titles in March of 2010. He got as far as the twelfth and final round before being stopped. Eleven months later he won in a rematch with Derrick Rossy, 25-2, in Atlantic City under Main Events which was to be an IBF eliminator but didn’t happen. He went to Newark, NJ, and got injured and with one hand still looked like he pulled out a win over former 2-division champion Tomasz Adamek, 45-2, for the vacant IBF N. American title but lost the decision. That’s when he dropped to cruiserweight and lost to Thabiso McHunu, 13-1, by decision in August of 2013. Half a year later he was in the Fury camp. At 33 and in this business for 15 years he has an excellent record and still a quick pair of hands and under Al Haymon is looking to get back in the title picture in 2016. This will be his first fight in 10 months. In an area with 6 other heavyweights like Steve “USS” Cunningham, Bryant “By By” Jennings, Amir “Hardcore” Mansour, Chazz Witherspoon, Joey “The Tank” Dawejko and Travis “My Time” Kauffman they could have their own tournament. Mansour lost a close fight to Cunningham, defeated Dawejko and got turned down by Jenning’s management. Cunningham, Witherspoon and Chambers have helped each other out in the Shuler’s gym in West Philly over the years. Chambers has now won his last six fights and is looking forward to a couple more like his last one and getting back into contention. His nickname “Fast” is fine in the ring but even at 33 he is not looking to jump in with the top contenders “fast!” He’s been there and done that but when his next opportunity comes up possibly with WBC champion Deontay Wilder he will be ready! Chambers agreed to answer some questions I asked. KEN HISSNER: You came to Philly in May of 2002. How did you decide to come to Philly? EDDIE CHAMBERS: My manager at the time, Rob Murray, thought it would be a good move. He told me that he’d keep me active, and I fought regularly at the Blue Horizon. KEN HISSNER: You won 17 straight fights at the legendary Blue Horizon. Was it at that point you decided to sign with Goosen-Tudor? EDDIE CHAMBERS: I signed with Goosen to get bigger fight opportunities. The goal in signing was to fight for the heavyweight championship. KEN HISSNER: You win 4 straight and defeat Calvin Brock, 31-1, for a part of an IBF elimination tournament. How did you feel after defeating Brock and to have to go to Germany? EDDIE CHAMBERS: I didn’t have the greatest training camp and everything was short notice. I lost a close decision, but honestly, I felt I had Povetkin hurt in the third round. KEN HISSNER: I felt you were ahead of Povetkin after 5 rounds. What happened the rest of the way that slowed you down and to lose. EDDIE CHAMBERS: I thought I beat myself that night. I don’t know if I was mentally prepared for the fight, and it showed. KEN HISSNER: Two fights later you are back to the Blue Horizon. What brought you back? EDDIE CHAMBERS: My manager felt it would be good to go back home and win in a familiar setting. KEN HISSNER: Who would you pick if Deontay Wilder the WBC champion were to fight his No. 1 contender Alexander Povetkin? EDDIE CHAMBERS: Povetkin has more experience but Wilder is more athletic. It’s a really good fight. Wilder’s size and power could create problems for him. KEN HISSNER: You defeat hard hitting Samuel Peter. Was he the hardest puncher you had faced up until this point? EDDIE CHAMBERS: Yes, Samuel Peter, but I didn’t get hit to where I directly felt his power. The hardest hitting sparring partner I had was probably Shannon Briggs. KEN HISSNER: Next you go to Germany and defeat Alexander Dimitrenko, 29-0, in a WBO title eliminator. Being on foreign soil were you relieved when you got the majority decision? EDDIE CHAMBERS: Yes, because people doubted me and I proved them all wrong. I knew I’d win that fight. KEN HISSNER: You earn the right to challenge Wladimir Klitschko for his titles and lose in the last round. How good would you say he is? EDDIE CHAMBERS: He is the best in the world today and he’s great at what he does. He has fought everyone and no one seems to have an answer. He’s been champion for a long time. KEN HISSNER: You were then inactive for 11 months and have a rematch with Derric Ross. What caused your inactivity? EDDIE CHAMBERS: I had several business issues that shelved me for a while. KEN HISSNER: When you fought 2-division champion Tomasz Adamek were you inured halfway through that fight? I still thought you won using just one of your hands after the fifth round. EDDIE CHAMBERS: I tore my bicep in the first round. People approach me all the time and tell me they thought I won that fight using just one arm. KEN HISSNER: You drop down to cruiserweight and lose to Thabiso Mohunu. What effect was it getting down to 20 in losing that fight? EDDIE CHAMBERS: We didn’t have a scouting report on Mchunu. I didn’t train properly for the fight, and financial issues contributed to me taking the fight. KEN HISSNER: What made you then go to the UK in order to work with Tyson Fury? (Went 5-0 in 8 months over there) EDDIE CHAMBERS: I needed to get a change of scenery and evaluate my career. I was contemplating walking away from the sport, but Peter Fury helped convince me to keep fighting. KEN HISSNER: You hadn’t fought for 10 months before you most recent fight in Atlantic City. Who was working your corner? EDDIE CHAMBERS: My cut man Vinny Scala, my trainer Anthony Rodriguez, and Johnny Ortiz KEN HISSNER: I wish you all the best of success in the future. Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. EDDIE CHAMBERS: Thanks for the interview. See you next fight. For my fans, follow me on Facebook at “fst” Eddie Chambers. Twitter at @ChampFastEddie. Please send all questions and comments to Ken Hissner at: Kenhissner@gmail.com - For video content, plus today's newspaper headlines and original content, visit our Front Page now. -To have your say on this article and mix it up with other Boxing Fans, visit The Dog Pound now. |
