28.03.09 – by James Slater – Heavyweights going in different directions, Eddie Chambers and Sam Peter, put on a show last night that, truth be told, fans expected to be a whole lot more entertaining than it was. Ted Sares has already given us a rundown on how the action unfolded, and it’s safe to say there could have been more fireworks in the ten-rounder. Still, “Fast” Eddie, now 34-1(18) won, and in doing so he keeps alive his hopes of becoming a world champion. The question is, what’s next for him. Also, what’s next for the loser, Sam Peter?
Chambers deserves to be spoken about first, as he won last night’s crossroads match. Blessed with great hand speed, defensive savvy and general ring smarts, Chambers is a talent without any doubt. What goes against him, though, is the fact that he has shown a tendency to do just enough to win. He did it last night, he did it against Calvin Brock; while in his sole loss, to Alexander Povetkin, Chambers saw his lack of fire cost him the decision. Will things ever change, the fans are wondering now.
Some reports on last night’s fight have gone as far as saying Chambers, had he let his swift hands go more than he did, would have had a great chance of stopping Peter; thus making a real statement. Eddie himself, post-fight, said he knows he has to work on the aggression side of his game. The fact that the Philly contender brought this up himself is good news. Now we can do nothing but hope Chambers does indeed work on letting the punches flow. Chambers remains a hope. Wins over fair fighters like Brock and “The Nigerian Nightmare” deserve some respect, and if he can put it all together – his speed, his canny defence AND his power combos – in his next outing, Chambers will surely win again.
A title shot has been spoken of for Chambers next, but a win over another contender would be a better idea. Sure, Chambers could probably handle himself well enough against a Ruslan Chagaev or maybe even a Wladimir Klitschko; but to have a chance of wining, as opposed to just lasting the course, “Fast” Eddie needs more seasoning and more confidence in his offence. For now, though, the 26-year-old remains as good a bet as any of the other young US big men to get his hands on a belt and bring it back to his country.
But what about Peter? In truth, as soon as the Nigerian’s weight was announced for last night’s rumble the writing was on the cards. Coming in at his heaviest weight ever, when he and all those around him spoke about how his career was on the line in the Chambers fight, shows a plain lack of discipline and desire. Peter said last night’s decision was incorrect and that he had pushed the fight and therefore deserved the win, but this was not the case. Out of shape, at least top shape, Peter blew it. The worrying thing is, with him knowing he had to win last night or his career may be over at top level, he still allowed himself to scale a whopping 265-pounds. What’s going to make the once formidable bomber stop himself from coming in so heavy, and therefore immobile, in the future?
In fact, Peter, now 30-3(23) may have no real future to speak of. His manager says different, but all the fight and heart may have gone out of Sam. Without hunger (the proper kind of hunger, not just hunger for food) a fighter is climbing a huge hill in attempting to fight. If he cannot get a quick KO – and judging by last night’s showing Peter has laid out all the top, or close to top guys he’s ever going to – an overweight slugger will lose.
The bottom line is neither guy looked great last night, but at least Chambers has impressive skills and time enough to fully develop his ring attacks. Peter, though he is only two years older than Chambers at age 28, appears to have ran out of time.