Chambers Tops Peter

Fans who came into last night’s FNF headliner, hoping the bout between Fast Eddie Chambers and Sam Peter might breathe a little life into the heavyweight division had to be disappointed with what they saw. Chambers got the win by scores of 99-91, 96-94 and 95-95, but it was an uninspiring performance, in what really looked like the perfect situation for him to impress.

Peter, who came in at a career high 265 pounds was huffing and puffing by the mid rounds, and seemed ready for the taking, only Chambers never put his foot on the gas. Instead, the slick Philly based fighter appeared perfectly content to do just enough to get the win, and in the process very nearly gave the fight away to his laboring opponent.

After the fight, he told Teddy Atlas that he was thinking too much. That’s a reasonable explanation, but it also begs the question that if he’s thinking too much with an overweight and badly gassed Sam Peter coming at him, what does that say about his chances against better opposition?

Atlas kept pointing out during the bout how many opportunities there were for Chambers to nail home his right hand. Whether it was countering after Peter brought his left back low after throwing a jab, or following up his own jab with a right hand – the chances for Chambers to snap home rights were there all night.

Yet, rarely did Chambers do anything other than fire off his jab – and not nearly enough of them - while circling out of the way of Peter’s ponderous attack.

Finally in the ninth round, Chambers raised the level of his intensity and opened up a little with very good results. Unfortunately, he couldn’t sustain that energy until the finish, and again reverted back to doing just enough to get by in the tenth.

While Peter's weight was embarrassingly high, he really worked hard until the final bell. Breathing heavily throughout, he kept plugging away, and nearly came away with a draw in a fight that shouldn’t have been close. If he brings that kind of effort into his training camp, he can beat a lot of good heavyweights.

As for Chambers, if his desire can catch up to his talent, he could make some noise against the very best in the division. But this kind of effort won't get it done.

e-mail Andrew Fruman
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Sam Peter vs Eddie Chambers Predictions

Sam Peter, weighing in at a career high 265 pounds, returns to the ring for the first time since his one sided drubbing at the hands of Vitali Klitschko back in October. His opponent, Eddie Chambers, who's on a three fight winning streak since losing to Alexander Povetkin last year, tipped the scales at a none too lean 223 pounds.

Check out what The Boxing Bulletin writers have to say on the match-up...

I give Peter very little chance of making this competitive. I liked Chambers the whole time, even before the weigh-in. Peter can get some things done against a banger, but he isn't good at cutting off the ring and I honestly don't see him landing cleanly with anything all night. Chambers by shutout decision. - Mark Lyons

I saw little reason to believe Peter would beat Chambers before news that he weighed in 12 pounds heavier than he did in his last fight. Now I see virtually no reason. His career high weight is just indicative of the downward turn his career has taken in recent years. Of course, Peter has a puncher's chance. But Fast Eddie is sturdy, and will dominate the fight down the stretch to win a wide decision. - Michael Nelson

The Sam Peter experiment has come to an end. Obviously he no longer has respect for himself, his opponent, his management (who never should have taken this fight anyway) or the sport, so good riddance to him. Even if he was in shape, Chambers would have given him Hell, but since he decided that discipline isn't really necessary in professional boxing, he could get embarrassed yet again. Chambers by wide, slow decision is my pick, but I wouldn't be surprised if Peter pulled the plug on his career. -Lee Payton

I've never rated the cumbersome Peter. I think Chambers will be too fast, strong and hungry for Peter to cope with. Chambers by wide decision. - Dave Oakes

Chambers can fight, and Peter needed to show up in shape to have a chance at winning this one. 265? Come'on Sam, what are you thinking? Unless the big guy lands something very damaging early, and I think that's far from likely, he's going to get beaten handily.

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