By James Slater – Skilled Philly heavyweight “Fast” Eddie Chambers has not been in action since his March loss to world heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko. Stopped dramatically in the closing seconds of the final round in Germany, Chambers has been back in the gym since, but he has seen no live action. This will change in February of next year, when the 28-year-old will face Derric Rossy in a rematch.
The fight, set to go ahead at Bally’s in Atlantic City according to ESPN.com, will be an eliminator for a shot at Ring magazine, IBF, WBO and IBO ruler Klitschko.. Back in 2007, when Chambers and Rossy first met, Chambers won a largely one-sided TKO in the 7th-round. Rossy, who had had only a handful of amateur fights and a few more pro fights under his belt, was brave and strong but outclassed. This will not be the case in the rematch, the 30-year-old who is 25-2(14) assured ESPN.com
“That first fight with Chambers was a completely different Derric Rossy,” the former football player said. “I really had no experience and was just trying to out-tough my opponents. Eddie beating me was really a rude awakening, showing me I needed to learn the craft and not try to out-muscle everyone I fight.
“I’ve worked really hard on developing my skills and devoting my life to becoming the best heavyweight in the world, and now’s the time I get to show it. This is my shot and I have no intentions of letting it slip away.”
At the time of the first fight with Chambers, Rossy was 15-0 and the longest he had gone in a pro fight was ten-rounds just once, with most of his wins coming in four rounds or less. Chambers back then was 27-0 and he was two wins away from fighting an official IBF eliminator. The gulf in experience showed.
Rossy regrouped and got himself decent wins over Zack Page and “Merciless” Ray Mercer, out-pointing both tough warriors, but the 30-year-old was then halted in the 5th-round by Alexander Dimitrenko. 7-0 since the loss to the big man from Ukraine, Rossy has seen off a fringe contender in Carl Davis Drummond, who he out-pointed over ten in July of last year. There is no doubt Rossy has improved since the loss to Chambers – but enough to be able to get revenge over the slick boxer/puncher?
Chambers, 35-2(18) is as gifted a boxer as you could find in today’s heavyweight division. Quick-handed, possessing a fine boxing brain and also above average power, Chambers also has a good chin. Okay, “Dr. Steel Hammer” put him away with one punch back in March, but we all know how hard Wladimir can whack with either hand. Chambers may well be a touch rusty come February, at which time he will have been out for almost a full year. However, Rossy last fought in March himself, so he may be rusty himself.
We can definitely expect a better, more competitive fight this time around, and no-one knows how the brutal KO loss Chambers suffered has affected him. Does “Fast” Eddie really want a second fight with Klitschko? Such a fight is the ultimate prize he and Rossy will be fighting for early next year, and while Rossy will be hugely motivated for his first crack at the world title, Chambers may not be.
Then again, the Philly star may be even hungrier now that he’s been stopped, anxious to prove he can do better in a return. Both men should be “up for it” in Feb. and both guys should be in great shape. I think the improved version of Rossy will last the distance this time, but Chamber’s greater skills will see him through to a points win.