Calvin Brock (left) and Eddie Chambers square off and then face off after Thursday’s weigh-in at Tacoma, Washington Photo: Jan Sanders/Goossen Tutor Promotions For Showtime – he once-beaten Brock (31-1, 23 KOs), who weighed 241 pounds, and the undefeated Chambers (29-0, 16 KOs), who tipped scale at 213 1/2, collide in a 12-round International Boxing Federation elimination fight in the main event Friday on the 100th telecast of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast)..
in Friday’s co-feature, Jose Lopez (21-2, 13 KOs) will be opposed by Tyrone Harris (21-3, 14 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout. Lopez weighed the division-limit 135 pounds Thursday while Harris weighed 133 1/4. One day before a world championship doubleheader (Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Rocky Juarez and Robert Guerrero vs. Martin Honorio) on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, ShoBox: The New Generation will celebrate its 100th telecast with one of the most significant heavyweight fights in the series’ distinguished six-year history.
The heavyweight “Battle for the Ages” will pit “Fast” Eddie Chambers (29-0, 16 KOs) against Calvin “The Boxing Banker” Brock (31-1, 23 KOs) in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight title eliminator live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). The winner of the 12-round bout will face 2004 Olympic Games gold medalist Alexander Povetkin for the right to challenge IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
In the co-feature of a Friday twinbill presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and Main Events from the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash., Jose Lopez (21-2, 13 KOs) will face Tyrone Harris (21-3, 14 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout.
NOTE: THURSDAY’S WEIGHTS – Chambers 213 ½ pounds, Brock 241; Lopez weighed 135, Harris 133 1/4.
EDDIE CHAMBERS
“When the opportunity to fight Brock popped up, I jumped at the chance. To be a fight or two from fighting for the world title is really exciting and what it is all about. I am totally enjoying all of this.
“I have a lot of respect for Calvin and expect a pretty tough fight. But because I respect him doesn’t mean I am intimidated.
“Calvin is good at a lot of things and I expect to see him at his best Friday. The only fights I watched of his were when he was at his best.
“But he is not all that fast and that is one of the things I expect to take advantage of and will try to exploit. He may try and jump on me early, but I am ready for that or anything.
“I know if I pick my spots, give him lots of angles, fight smart, throw him off and disrupt his timing, I’ll be OK. I’ve had the best training, am totally focused and definitely ready to fight.
“We actually were supposed to fight once before, when we were both like 8-0. But it didn’t make it any sense for either of us to fight at that time. The time wasn’t right then. It is now.’’
CALVIN BROCK
“I am not overlooking or taking Chambers for granted because I respect him as a fighter. But I really don’t see how he is going to beat me. He is undefeated, but I am not totally impressed. I thought his fight with Dominick Guinn was a whole lot closer than the judges had it.
“To get back into the running for another world title fight is, of course, a great thing. When I first heard about an IBF tournament, I naturally wanted to be part of it.
“You are going to see a different Calvin Brock than the one who fought Klitschko. I have worked really hard for this fight, but unlike the Klitschko fight, this time I am not overtrained. I peaked three weeks too early and was stale against Klitschko. It’s been a tough camp, but a good one. Having the great Pernell Whitaker working with me has really helped, too.
“I feel I am coming up to my best fight. You are going to see me faster and lighter on my feet. I will be working the jab, letting my punches go with both hands. Condition wise, I feel better at this weight than I did at 225. He is supposed to be quick. I think I am quicker.
“I am really looking forward to having a great night on Friday.’’