“Fast” Eddie Chambers open a new chapter to his boxing career Saturday Night on the NBC Sports Network. Chambers, a perennial heavyweight Contender, takes his act a weight below, to the cruiserweight division.
Over the years, the ‘cruiser’ division has grown, not only in weight limit, but also in excitement. Chambers, will be attempting to accomplish something that has not been too successful in boxing. Moving down in weight, especially later in your career, is clever decision making 101 in the sweet science.
Chad Dawson went down in weight to meet Andre Ward. Dawson, one of the best at 175lbs at the time, challenged himself to face the dominant Ward, at 168lbs. In this bout, Dawson was clearly drained and out of his element. In speaking with Dawson’s former trainer, John “Ice Man” Scully, the move down in weight was something he was against from the get-go. Moving down in weight is just not how it is usually done in this sport. Even when a fighter, moves down in weight which he is accustomed to, it can go awry.
Roy Jones Jr. made a successful climbing from the 175 pound division, to capture a version of the heavyweight title, in besting John “Quiet Man” Ruiz. However, this was a one-stop trip for RJJ, and he was never the same when returning to his more comfortable light heavyweight division.
Chambers has always been considered an undersized heavyweight despite holding his own against the best the division has to offer. This alone would lead some people to believe Chambers will be a beast and cruise through his new division. It would be foolish, however, to think that Chambers could just drop in weight and be the same fighter he has been.
Chambers weighs 196lbs, for his battle Saturday night, he weighed 209lbs when he challenged for the Heavyweight title against Wladimir Klitschko in 2010. I am not suggesting Chambers cannot make the transition, although I know what the reason will be if he is not successful.
Chambers’ first test comes in the form of Thabiso Mchunu, a bruising southpaw, who is going to move forward and try and smother, the better skilled, Chambers. An opponent like this can be a great showcase for Eddie, a punching bag with arms that Chambers can do whatever he wants with.
However, if the weight transition is any sort of a problem for the man from Pennsylvania, Mchunu can be the worst opponent possible for him. The last thing a drained fighter needs is a guy, who is not going to stop pursing his man. A guy, who is much more comfortable with the weight he is carrying. If Chambers has any issues with his legs at all, this move could be disastrous.
If I was a betting man, and I am not, I would lean towards a successful night for “Fast” Eddie. He is a professional, who knows his body and he is not making this change for a big payday, which is the absolute wrong reason to compromise weight, (just ask Donny Lalonde).
Chambers is making this decision because he feels it is the best possible scenario, for him to finish out his career with solid victories. Eddie Chambers will be very successful in the cruiserweight division – if his body agrees with the mind.
