The Fight Network

http://edmulholland.com/galleries/ec_interview/chambers_inter.html
 
BY RICK SCHARMBERG
"Fast" Eddie Chambers (34-1, 18 KOs), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is planning a fireworks display on July 4, when he tackles 6'7" behemoth Alexander "Sascha" Dimitrenko (29-0, 19 KOs), of Hamburg, Germany via Krim, Ukraine in an important twelve round WBO heavyweight title elimination bout at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Germany. Chambers will also be staking his claim as America's best heavyweight. Dimitrenko is the top ranked contender in the WBO, while Chambers is number five.

The winner could be in line for a shot at Wladimir Klitschko's heavyweight title. Chambers is making his second trip to Germany in a little over a year, having faced Alexander Povetkin in January 2008. Chambers started fast in that bout, but he uncharacteristically took his foot off the pedal, allowing Povetkin to win the battle of unbeaten contenders.

"I don't see anybody jumping in line to go to Germany to fight any of these undefeated heavyweights, and here I will be fighting my second within a year-and-a-half," stated Chambers. "I am stepping up to meet the challenge, because when I started this journey, I was never looking to be the champion of a city, state, or country. I want to be heavyweight champion of the world!"

Eddie's journey began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he attended football powerhouse Westinghouse High School. He wanted to play football, but family responsibilities came first after school. As fate would have it, Eddie Sr., was a former boxer, and wanted to teach his son some self-defense. Chambers soon fell in love with boxing, and the rest is history.

After a stellar amateur career, Chambers turned pro on December 29, 2000 with a second round knockout over Tyrone Austin. Chambers fought - and won - nine times within the first sixteen months of his pro debut. Most of those bouts took place in the Pittsburgh area. Chambers had his sights set on bigger things, and the family decided to move to a bigger market, the fight town of Philadelphia.

"We knew we needed to move our family to Philly, but we had little money, and none of the big promoters wanted to help us," recalls Eddie. "We ended up getting introduced to (current trainer and manager) Rob Murray Sr. and his son Rob Murray Jr. We met them and we instantly knew that they were our kind of people, humble, hard working, and dedicated. Most of all, they are experienced, and they care about their fighters."

To Rob Murray Sr., the respect is mutual. "Eddie's father trained him for 31 fights. This is my fifth fight with him. He is the most talented kid I ever had, and I worked with (champions) Bernard Hopkins and Steve Little. His raw talent is something else. He can beat any fighter in the world."

After moving to Philadelphia, Eddie soon developed a following at the famed Blue Horizon. Seventeen straight times, Eddie fought there, and he had his hand raised in victory every time. Once again, Chambers was ready to step up. He signed with promoter Dan Goossen, while still being co-promoted by Rob Murray Jr. and Score America. Eddie was 26-0, and had reached the big time.

On February 9, 2007, Chambers won the USBA heavyweight title with an impressive knockout of then-unbeaten Derric Rossy, and earned himself a world ranking. Just three months later, Chambers took a lopsided decision over former contender Dominick Guinn, and then took a decision over former world title challenger Calvin Brock. Eddie was one victory away from a world title shot.

Then he faced Alexander Povetkin, and hit the proverbial bump in the road.

"I didn't stay focused," said Chambers of his performance against Povetkin. "We had that bad fight, and we want to take something positive from it. It was a team loss. We take the wins and losses as a team. We stepped up our game since then, and we improved from that. Now I know what to expect going to Germany, and I am taking that experience as a positive going into this fight."

Indeed, Chambers stepped up in a big way after the Povetkin loss. He went right back to work with a stoppage of tough Raphael Butler just five months later, and followed that with wins over Livin Castillo and Cisse Salif in quick succession. He then entered his biggest fight to date, with former world champion Samuel "The Nigerian Nightmare" Peter.

Sam Peter, a hulking 265 pounds, beat the great James Toney twice, defeated Jameel McCline and Oleg Maskaev in championship fights, and floored Wladimir Klitschko three times in a losing cause back in 2005. Peter's luster was tarnished somewhat when he was stopped in eight rounds by Vitali Klitschko in his most recent bout leading up to the bout with Eddie Chambers.

Even though he was coming off a loss, Sam Peter was still formidable. Chambers knew that he would face pressure all night, and that Peter was looking to make a statement. In that light, it was a curious decision when Peter's team selected the smaller, yet quick-fisted and hard-to-hit Chambers as the first opponent in his comeback. Chambers kept Peter off balance for the entire fight. It looked like he could have gotten Peter out of there early, but elected to box his way to a decision.

He took some unjust criticism for not taking a risk and going for the knockout against Peter.

"I agree with them, to a degree," said Chambers of his critics. "I could have done more. I landed a couple of right hands that had him dazed and worried. I agree with them, but still I beat him. How many people can say that? No question I could have done a lot more, but I am not disappointed. I could have dropped some left hooks and went to his body more, but I'm satisfied with a victory over a guy like that."

Eddie Chambers is one of those rare breed of fighter, averaged sized, but skilled enough to be able to compete and defeat today's big heavyweights. How does he keep them off? "With speed," said "Fast" Eddie. "I use in-and-out movement, and make them fight at a pace they are not comfortable with. I make them work, whether on the inside or outside."

Chambers just finished his training camp at Dave Escalet's gym at the Fernwood Resort in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, not far from Muhammad Ali's old camp at Deer Lake. "I was in very good shape when I got there, fifteen pounds lighter than usual," said Chambers. "I worked with a seven-footer, Marcellus Brown, and Kevin Burnett, who is six-seven. I'm going to be right, better than ever."

Chambers is determined to impress this time around in Germany. Dimitrenko is even bigger than Sam Peter, but Chambers is the more seasoned fighter, and has the better resume. "He's tall and not a great puncher, but he does have nineteen knockouts, so I have to be careful. He's a big guy, so I know he will be tough. He is a good boxer, and athletic for a big guy, and he moves well. I have to be in complete control the whole time. I have to keep my hands on him and dominate every round."

In addition to a potential world title shot, also at stake for Eddie is bragging rights to being the best American heavyweight. There is a raging debate going on when discussing who the next American heavyweight champion will be, Chambers or Californian Chris "The Nightmare" Arreola, who is 27-0 with 24 knockouts. Chambers is the consummate boxer, while Arreola is the classic knockout artist. A bout between the two is certainly mouth watering.

"I am better than I was a year ago," stated Chambers. "My ability, my toughness, my talent, and my overall focus are better than they were a year ago. I am well rounded - Chris is a big, tough puncher - but he is not as well rounded."

His trainer, Rob Murray Sr. stated, "We have worked on different things in each fight. We have a plan that is not yet completed. Eddie is still learning, and I am so proud of him. We are looking to destroy Dimitrenko, not just beat him. What better preparation to face the Klitschko brothers. We want to unify the titles and then fight Arreola."

In closing, Eddie stated, "This is a big fight, and there will be a lot of fireworks. Keep following my career."