Chris Chatman says he watched the video of Angel Camacho Jr.’s most recent fight in November against Paul Gonsalves to help him prepare for Friday’s showdown against Camacho at Twin River Casino. Camacho Jr. is glad his opponent is paying attention.
“That actually plays into my advantage,” said Camacho Jr., unbeaten in 13 professional fights. “Everyone knows that wasn’t the real me. I didn’t do what I was supposed to do that night.”
Camacho Jr. (13-0, 4 KOs) won, but also had to shake off plenty of rust in the process, three year’s worth of rust to be exact, leaving the Providence, R.I., native fatigued and out of sync during large stretches of the fight.
Chatman (12-4-1, 5 KOs), the hard-hitting Jersey City vet who’s made Rhode Island his second home in recent years, plans on finishing what Gonsalves started in the six-round co-feature of “The Revival,” presented by CES Boxing Friday, April 3rd, 2015.
“In that last, he gassed early,” Chatman said of Camacho Jr. “He slowed after the third round. A high-volume puncher like myself, that’ll work well for me.
“How long can he can keep me off him? That’s the question. The only person who could ever keep up with my output was Thomas [Falowo in 2013] and I’m shocked he could keep up. I don’t think Angel can do it.”
Working under the guidance of his new trainer – and brother-in-law – Brian Pennacchia, Camacho Jr. begs to differ.
“I have nothing to say about that,” Camacho Jr. said. “I’ll let my conditioning and hands speak for themselves.”
Both fighters insist conditioning won’t be an issue. Chatman has proven this to be the case over the course of his career, an impressive resume that includes wins over three previously unbeaten fighters, many of them in enemy territory.
While Providence is Camacho’s hometown, Chatman has created his own buzz in the Ocean State with a 3-1 career record at Twin River, including the aforementioned upset win over hometown favorite Falowo and a victory against Grady Brewer.
“I honestly consider Twin River my home turf,” Chatman said. “I love coming to Rhode Island. I’m going to get my some clams while I’m out there!”
First thing’s first, Chatman must handle business against the unblemished Camacho Jr., who has maintained a perfect record despite two separate three-year layoffs, proof that the ability to fight, adapt and compete at a high level never goes away.
Camacho Jr. fought under the guidance of Roland Estrada upon his return in November, but decided to switch gears with Pennacchia this time around, primarily out of convenience – “Roland’s on the other side of town and this just made sense to me,” Camacho Jr. said.
Switching trainers this often would unnerve most fighters, but Camacho Jr.’s style never really changes despite who’s working the corner or barking instructions. Why mess with “perfection”? Camacho Jr. has yet to lose, and he’s rarely been in danger, even in fights where he’s had to shake off rust or overcome a slow start.
“There won’t be any changes to my style,” Camacho Jr. said. “I’m a boxer and my style is to box and move. I’m going to pick [Chatman] apart until he starts getting frustrated, and when he gets frustrated I’m going to capitalize on his openings.”
“He’s patient and he’s a very good boxer,” Chatman said of Camacho Jr., “but I’ve noticed in his last few fights since 2012 he’s a hell of a lot less active and a lot less dependent on his jab. At 168 pounds, he’s trying to fight like a junior middleweight. He’s not evolving into the fighter he needs to be. It’ll be hard for him to adapt Friday.”
Chatman has fought most of his career between 154 and 160 pounds, but has decided to jump up in weight at 168 to take advantage of his considerable muscle mass and endurance. Without having to make a severe weight cut in preparation for Friday’s fight, he insists he’s stronger than ever.
“I’ve been dropping my sparring partners,” he said. “Only two of them have gone the distance. I’ve been stopping everybody. It feels great not having to starve myself. I feel really good. I feel really strong.”
