By Jeff Meyer: Tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Polish-bred heavyweight Tomasz Adamek (46-2-0, 28 KOs) received a gift unanimous decision over Philadelphia fighter “Fast” Eddie Chambers (36-3-0, 18 KOs), winning the vacant IBF North American Heavyweight Title in the process. Chambers’ last fight was a unanimous decision over Derric Rossy four months ago, a fight that Chambers waited over a year to take after losing a brutal knockout title bout against IBF and WBO title holder Wladimir Klitschko.
It was unclear what fight the referees were watching tonight. How does a fighter get a unanimous decision when he throws twice as many punches but lands less than two dozen less power shots? Perhaps the heavily pro-Adamek crowd waving Polish flags swayed the judges and caused them to lose their vision; whatever the reason, even Adamek seemed shocked by the decision. Announcer B.J. Flores had it right when he declared that the judge who scored it eleven rounds to one in favor of Adamek should never be allowed to judge a fight again.
Despite tearing his left bicep muscle in the very beginning of the fight, Chambers boxed circles around Adamek. Chambers fought a mix of orthodox and southpaw style and seemed to land his overhand right at will throughout the fight. Chambers’ speed was superior to Adamek’s and allowed the Philly fighter to score the crisper, cleaner punches. Chambers’ defense also stymied Adamek, who, despite his aggression, landed hardly any solid punches that hurt Chambers.
This was a fight that neither fighter should point to as proof of their ability to wrestle one of the four heavyweight title straps from Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko. Adamek would likely lose by knockout to Wladimir in less time than it took his older brother Vitali to dispatch of the Polish fighter (ten rounds). Adamek displayed no skill in his “victory” against Chambers that should cause the Klitschkos to fear losing their belts.
Meanwhile, Chambers would also likely suffer the same type of vicious knockout at the hands of Vitali that he received from Wladimir. Chambers displayed the same frustrating style that has hindered him throughout his career—the failure to keep his foot on the gas. Chambers has often failed to finish off opponents: in his loss against Alexander Povetkin back in 2008, Chambers was easily winning the first few rounds of this fight but inexplicably allowed the Russian fighter’s aggression to take over and lost a unanimous decision.
Still, this was a fight Chambers should have won. Adamek’s nose was bloodied and bruised after the bout, but Eddie looked like he hadn’t been hit the whole night. What fight were the judges watching?
jakeameyers@gmail.com