Exclusive Interview by James Slater – No sooner do I write up a preview piece on the upcoming July 4th (now officially announced) Eddie Chambers-Alexander Dimitrenko WBO heavyweight title fight eliminator, do I get the opportunity to speak with “Fast” Eddie himself.
The 27-year-old with the 34-1(18) record – who was in the gym as we spoke earlier today – was kind enough to give me the following answers on the upcoming fight in Germany. Here is what Eddie had to say:
James Slater: Thanks very much for your time, Eddie. The fight with Alexander Dimitrenko has just been made official. Firstly, are you happy to be fighting in Germany again?
Eddie Chambers: No, sir! (laughs). Just kidding. This time I’ll be more experienced. Last time it was a tough experience but I’ll be so much better prepared this time. It’ll be a whole different story this time..
J.S: What do you know about Dimitrenko? Have you seen much of him on tape?
E.C: I’ve seen quite a lot of him, yes. He’s quite good technically, and he’s not slow, even though he’s such a big guy. It seems like he’s an inside fighter, actually. It’s going to be intriguing to see how he fights me trying to get on the inside and stuff. He’s a very decent fighter and this is a big opportunity for me.
J.S: As big as he is, do you plan to out-box him, win every round against him with your speed and class?
E.C: I plan to win impressively. I plan to take it to him right at the first bell. People don’t really expect that from me [aggression], but that’s going to be my approach. I will box him as well, don’t get me wrong, but I’ll definitely be more aggressive and use more pressure.
J.S: You had a good win last time, against Sam Peter. How happy were you with that performance?
E.C: It was a good win for me. I worked on things in camp, such as my jab. I showed my boxing skills in the fight and I showed how much of a weapon my left jab is. He’s [Peter] a former world champion, and I did what I had to do against him to beat him.
J.S: I saw on an internet interview with you after the fight, where you said you’d be in better shape and lighter for your next fight. How much lower do you plan to be for this next one?
E.C: I’ll be at a much lower weight. Well, not MUCH lower, but considerably lower. I’ve been training ever since the Peter fight, just in case an opportunity came – and what do you know, here it is! I am in condition and I plan to be at least seven pounds lighter for this fight. Maybe as much as ten pounds lighter.
J.S: You will be giving away quite a lot of height and weight against Dimitrenko. Is that a real concern?
E.C: Well, he’s not slow, but he’s not that fast either. You have to prepare for a guy as big as Dimitrenko is. This is an ideal fight for me to show that I can deal with a guy of his size and of his calibre. This is a big opportunity for me, and it could lead all the way to a shot at Wladimir Klitschko. Put it this way, I plan to win every second of every round in this fight. I have to show I can deal with a real big guy of this calibre. That’s my game-plan and my idea going in – to win every second of every round. I have to go in with that attitude – like it’s me against the world.
J.S: Do you plan to do anything differently this time in Germany? For example, will you arrive there earlier than you did for the Povetkin fight or anything like that?
E.C: I will get there later actually, not sooner. I think there’s more time to make mistakes the longer you are over in a foreign country. We will make sure we get there in enough time, around a week before the fight. But fight-wise, like I say, I’ll be going out to win ever second!
I have to make you guys forget about the Povetkin fight. Make sure that fight was just a fluke. If I don’t, and I lose, it will be a hard road back for me to this level. I can’t let that happen.
J.S: Is this the fight where the world gets to see the very best of Eddie Chambers? Where you let it all out?
E.C: That’s what you can expect, yes. The Povetkin fight was nothing more than a mistake.
J.S: It’s been great speaking with you, Eddie, as always. As you know, this fight with Dimitrenko will see the winner emerge as Wladimir Klitschko’s WBO mandatory. But Wladmir fights David Haye first, how do you see that fight going?
E.C: I see it as a win for Wladimir. He’ll keep him on the end of that jab and then hammer him with his right hand. I don’t think Haye will be able to get up from that. It should be a good fight for about four rounds or so if it goes that long. Haye is a good boxer and he has a puncher’s chance, but I see Wladmir winning it.
J.S: Well, we wish you good luck for July 4th, and then hopefully you will get your shot at Wladmimir.
E.C: Thank you. To become the heavyweight champion has been my goal ever since I started boxing. I’m not overlooking this guy [Dimitrenko] by any means, but I know I have to take care of business in this fight.