“Fast” Eddie Chambers vs. Tony “The Tiger” Thompson Preview:
The heavyweight division receives its fair share of criticism these days, but perhaps the weight class isn’t as bad as advertised. The lack of competition at the top doesn’t mean there cannot be exciting and well-contested matches in the heavyweight class. Tony Thompson and Eddie Chambers are two top-ten contenders who are looking for another shot at the bigtime. How hopeful their prospects are for becoming world champions is problematic, but one hopes to see a good fight in this IBF elimination encounter.
Thompson and Chambers represent the “best of the rest”—two longtime contenders who have already shown a resounding inability to compete at the top of the division. Thompson fell to Wladimir Klitschko in 11 rounds in 2008, with Chambers losing by 12th-round stoppage to Dr. Steelhammer in 2010. Nevertheless, with a combined record of 72-4 (both are 36-2) and world title experience, Chambers and Thompson, along with Chris Arreola, are the best the U.S. has to offer at this point.
Age and Physical Equipment
Tony Thompson: The late-starting Thompson is now 39, with over 11 years at the pro level. Has been around long enough to have competed in Cedric Kushner’s Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament back in 2002, losing to Maurice Harris in the finals, though the bouts were not recorded as official fights. Coincidentally, Thompson stopped Harris in his last fight in May. Thompson is a difficult proposition for most heavyweights with his southpaw style and 6’5” size. The Washington, D.C. native has 24 knockouts in his 36-2 record.
Eddie Chambers: Despite also being 36-2 and turning pro in 2000, Chambers is a decade younger at 29. Physically, he is a bit undermanned at heavyweight, standing a shade over 6-feet with a 75-inch reach—over 6 inches less than Thompson. Generally weighing less than 210 pounds in recent outings, many have noted the softly built Chambers would be better served fighting at cruiserweight. With only 18 knockouts in 38 fights, Chambers lacks the power to gain respect from the top guys in the division.
Styles
Tony Thompson: Not a ball of fire, but a well-schooled and physically-gifted boxer who is capable of bursts of aggression. Flashes his right-jab, looking to set up his power shots—namely his left that comes straight or in an arc. Goes to the body well, especially with the right hook. Has good punch anticipation and can niftily move out of the way of his opponent’s advances. Has a good crab-defense when opponents unload.
Eddie Chambers: One might figure a 210-pound heavyweight with no power to speak of would be a slickster and that’s precisely what Chambers is. The loosey-goosey Chambers puts it on thick with the jive and ointment, making him a uniquely-skilled and difficult heavyweight to fight. Not many current heavyweights outside of the Klitschkos figure to have an easy night’s work with the quick and elusive Chambers. Feints and dips, waiting for opponents to be in a compromising position, and then pops them with eye-catching zingers. A talented counterpuncher, Chambers uses fast reflexes and flexibility to avoid major damage.
Quality of Resume
Tony Thompson: He fancies himself as the world’s most avoided heavyweight and one would hope so considering the skimpiness of his resume. Best triumphs were a 2006 win over Dominick Guinn, who had won 2 of his previous 6, a 2007 knockout over decent Luan Krasniqi, and a 2009 stoppage of 26-1 Chazz Witherspoon. To his credit, he was impressive in dismantling a slightly-resurgent Maurice Harris in 3 rounds in May. Rightfully receives a lot of credit for his challenge of Klitschko in 2008, a fight that was the champion’s most difficult in recent memory, albeit not an entirely competitive enocounter.
Eddie Chambers: Holds a pair of high-quality wins against Alexander Dimitrenko and Sam Peter—both in 2009. Those wins helped set up a challenge of Klitschko where Chambers struggled mightily, achieving almost zero foothold against the dominant champion. Failed miserably in his first test against top contender Alexander Povetkin in 2008, puzzlingly folding in his tent in the late rounds after getting off to a good start. After a year layoff, decisioned Derric Rossy in February—a man he stopped back in 2007.
Questions
Tony Thompson: Even though he’s pushing 40, how much do we really know about Thompson? Sure, he did reasonably well against Klitschko, but is he a guy you can count on? Did he benefit from a dearth of talent in the division in the U.S. and just sort of coast into this position without really proving anything? Or is he an avoided fighter who despite not being able to beat a Klitschko, might just be the next best thing around? Will he be able to employ superior timing to offset Chamber’s pronounced speed advantage?
Eddie Chambers: Will his size problem always rear its head in these tough matchups? Or does his performance against the towering Dimitrenko show he can handle big guys not named Klitschko? Will he be able to put his speed advantage to use or will he be flummoxed by the size and southpaw style of Thompson? Have the demanding fights, especially the beating at the hands of Klitschko, put a dent in his skills or his resolve?
Thompson vs. Chambers Prediction
This should be a competitive fight between two guys who know what they’re doing—a rare instance in contemporary heavyweight times, particularly in the U.S. It might not reach a fever-pitch, but this fight should provide an interesting contrast in styles and statures.
The much bigger Thompson is no oaf. He is subtly clever himself and not altogether what you would call a slow fighter. Look for Thompson to use his long jab to subdue the flashiness of Chambers on the outside. But “Fast” Eddie is no fool. Look for him to show some side-to-side movement accompanied with quick bursts of punches. His shiftiness and lateral movement will allow his speed to become more of a factor.
This will be a fight of adjustments. The more adaptable fighter might be the one who walks away with a victory. By the middle rounds, Thompson will begin to hone in with some serious leather, featuring those long lefts to the head, followed by meaningful wallops to the body. An even fight will tip towards Thompson in the final two rounds, as he surges against a waning Chambers to secure the decision.
Prediction: Tony Thompson wins by unanimous decision.
