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Nigerian knockout artist Samuel Peter (SportsRatings #8, 30-2) and "Fast" Eddie Chambers (#18, 33-1) clash tonight in a very interesting heavyweight bout. Two very different styles will be on display and psychology could be a factor. Most of the pre-bout talk has focused on the fighters' weight.
Peter needs a win to show that he is still one of the top heavyweights. Although he has won 23 fights by knockout and lost only to both Klitschko brothers, his most recent performance against Vitali was universally panned as a disaster. Unable to be effective against the much taller fighter, he became a human punching bag and retired after eight rounds of pummeling.
If Peter wins convincingly, it would show that he's still a cut above the rest of the contenders and deserves his spot in the top 10. A loss might convince many to write him off, and without a high ranking he might have trouble getting fights. There would be nothing for fighters to gain against a low-ranked Peter, and a lot to lose since he will always be a dangerous foe due to his knockout power.
Chambers is in a less precarious situation. His loss to Alexander Povetkin meant that he isn't considered first among young heavyweight prospects, but at 26 he has a long career ahead of him. Beating Peter would show that his career might be spent in the top 10, challenging for titles and maybe eventually getting one. A loss would be another temporary setback, but would further reinforce that he doesn't have the power to compete with bigger or stronger fighters.
At first blush it seems like Peter should be the hungrier fighter. He has more to lose, and more to prove. But the weigh-ins surprised many.
Peter's weight has always been an issue, and never moreso than before this fight. Peter came in at 265 for the fight, over 10 pounds heavier than his last fight five months ago and the heaviest he's been. His speed and skill have been questioned before and not only does this weight raise concerns in those areas, it also suggests that mentally he's just not committed to doing what it takes to be a champion. Moreover, it could suggest that his will was broken by the fight against Vitali.
Chambers weight, too, is an all-time high at 223. This could be deliberate on his part when facing a bigger fighter, to make it harder for Peter to move him around the ring. But Chambers' own level of committment in terms of being in shape has been questioned, too. For a smaller heavyweight he's not as cut as someone like David Haye.
This looked like an even odds fight before the weigh-in. Peter might have been overly dismissed after the Klitschko fights, and presents a challenge to Chambers that he hasn't faced: a true knockout artist. Chambers, though, has good boxing skills and is faster than Peter, two things that give him an advantage. Povetkin was stronger and at least equally skilled; Peter will only have the strength advantage, and little speed.
Post weigh-in, money quickly gravitated toward Chambers, making him the Vegas favorite for a decision. Few think Chambers can knock Peter out, but if he did there would be more criticism of Peter than accolades for Chambers. In short, with Peter coming in so big, Chambers reputation if he wins the fight probably won't see a great leap.
Peter can jump to #6 in the rankings with a win, close to getting back to the top five where he spent almost all of 2007 and 2008. Lose and he'll fall out of the top ten for the first time since 2004. Chambers has a chance to jump into the top ten for the first time; he reached #13 before the Povetkin fight, just after beating Calvin Brock.
The fight is being broadcast by ESPN as part of Friday Night Fights, scheduled for 10:00 pm eastern time, making it two weekends in a row with a significant heavyweight fight nationally televised, an increasingly rare event.
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