25.04.07 – By Paul McCreath: On Friday, May 4 at the Palms Casino in Vegas, Showtime will present another heavyweight match of importance to American fans. While not a title bout or an eliminator, it does match the fighter, Eddie Chambers, that most fans consider to be the country’s best hope for the future among the heavyweights against the man, Dominick Guinn, who used to be considered the best hope.
Guinn, of course, has not made it to the top. After a very successful amateur career where he won the national title at super heavyweight in 1998, as well as two Golden Gloves national titles in 1997 and 1999, Dominick was considered a top prospect when he turned pro in June of 2000. 21 consecutive victories, 16 by KO over the usual suspects, did little to change any minds. Then came his big chance, a match with former contender, Michael Grant in June of 2003. Many felt that this was too big a step for the young hopeful but Guinn proved them wrong with a convincing 7th round KO of the disappointing Grant.
Victories in 10 rounds over decent journeymen Duncan Dokiwari and Derrick Banks followed and the march to contention seemed right on schedule. Then, in March of ’04, came the first bump in the road, a 10-round split decision loss to Monte Barrett, who was coming off his narrow loss to top contender Joe Mesi. This was a setback but considered a learning experience and not too serious. After a 1st round KO of veteran Phil Jackson in July, he was ready again to set the record straight. Unfortunately, Sergei Liahovich had other ideas and won a surprising and convincing 10-round decision in December. Still, as we all know, Liahovich in his next bout won the WBO title from Lamon Brewster, so perhaps all was not lost yet.
Regrettably ,subsequent losses to James Toney in 12 in Oct of ’05 and later Tony Thompson again over 12 rounds in June of ’06, combined with an unimpressive draw with Friday Ahunanya in April of ’05, have pretty well placed Guinn in the gatekeeper or even trial horse class. He has only lost to good fighters and showed he is still no pushover by upsetting the much touted Audley Harrison over 10 rounds a year ago. He needs a victory badly to remain in the money making class of heavyweights. His current record is 28-4-1 with 19 KO’s. His last bout was a second round stoppage of Zuri Lawrence in February.
Fast Eddie Chambers is a smaller heavyweight, around 215 pounds, and will likely concede about 10 pounds to Guinn, who usually comes in around 225. That won’t bother Eddie who is usually outweighed, often by much more than that. His last opponent, Derrick Rossy, who came in undefeated at 15-0, weighed 248. He also has wins over Ross Puritty and Robert Hawkins while running up a 28-0 record with 16 stoppages since he turned pro in December of 2000. He is noted more for his fast hands and good defense than for his power. Guinn, on the other hand, is a boxer puncher who has never been stopped. It seems likely this one will go the distance.
Chambers, whose style has often been compared to Chris Byrd, will be meeting his highest rated foe up until now and this promises to be a good test for him.A loss could still be written off as a learning experience and not be considered too much of a setback. A win will mean he is on track for possible title contention in another year or so.American fans who are pining for another heavyweight hero will be hoping he comes through. I suspect he will do that by a clear but not easy decision.