THE NEW KID ON THE  BLOCK

Professional boxing has added a new heavyweight to the ranks.  Young Eddie Chambers at 4-0 with 3 KO’s is making his mark on the local scene.  Eddie is nineteen, fresh out of high school and has that wide-eyed optimism found only in our youth.  At 6’ 1” and 214 pounds Eddie is just starting to grow into his frame.  He is quiet almost reserved in his demeanor with a politeness that is not found among many in his age group.  His father, Eddie Sr., is also his trainer.  There is a mutual respect and trust between them.  Both of them are working toward a goal, the first Pittsburgh heavyweight champion of the world.  The first step in that goal was being signed by Ralph Cindrich, a sports attorney from Mt. Lebanon.  Ralph Cindrich has represented hundreds of professional athletes and entertainers, including Brian Griese of the Denver Broncos, Jeff Blake of the New Orleans Saints, former Steeler Dermontti Dawson, WWF wrestler Kurt Angle and CBS sportscaster Mark May.  The second step was signing an exclusive endorsement agreement with the well-known boxing apparel manufacturer Everlast.  The deal provides Chambers with equipment and Team Everlast sportswear for a year and also includes promotional appearances as a member the Everlast stable.  Said a Cindrich & Company representative, “Everlast is synonymous with boxing and Eddie is very proud to be a member of the Everlast team.”

EDDIE CHAMBERS

The heavyweight that fights like a welterweight

How do you feel your size compares to other heavyweights?

            Mike Tyson is 5’ 11”, Hollyfield was 214 in a couple of fights and Tyson was 218 so I think I am pretty much the right size for a heavyweight.  I am quicker than most heavyweights and I feel strong at this weight.  I am still growing and maybe I will bet taller and be able to put on some more weight.  Not sloppy weight. 

 Your last fight was with a fighter that was 6’ 6” and 281 pounds.  How did you approach that fight?

            I was going to go inside.  I had no idea that I would be able to box him against his long reach.  It looked like his arms could reach the floor.  I didn’t think I could get in and out without getting hit.  But with my speed I was able to box him and not get hit to often.  Basically he played right into my hands.  He said his jab was good but mine was better.   

This being your first six round fight and against a more experienced boxer, what did you do good in the fight?

            My speed was good and I picked my power shots at good times.  I didn’t punch myself out in any of the rounds.  I kept up a good pace during the rounds and ended all the rounds strong. 

What do you think you did wrong in this bout?

            Aaaah, you know that I would rest on the ropes.  He (opponent) would come in with those haymaker shots.  He would throw a job out to measure you and then would come the haymakers.  I took a couple and got caught with a jab in the eye and had some trouble seeing for a few rounds.  I made some stupid mistakes like not finishing my combinations, not following up on the inside and being on the ropes. 

What about college?

            I made a choice to continue by boxing career while I was still young and strong.  When my career is over I will be going to college to study graphic design.

What is your schedule like?

            I work with my Dad we have to get up in the middle of the night and deliver newspapers until about 7:00 am.  I wish that would change.  Working out twice a day and running leaves little time for sleep.  Sometimes we spar twice a day.  Timmy Williamson, Art Allen and Carlton Johnson and some of my sparring partners.  We travel to other gyms and spar.  I do a lot of sparring.  I get more of boxing from Timmy and punching from Art and movement from both of them.  They don’t let me make mistakes. 

Trainer Eddie Chambers Sr.

           We have just signed with Ralph Cindrich & Company.  They are going to make Eddie a household name.  This is good for Eddie.  He (Ralph) was a former football player and he spent several hours with us putting together a package to bring Eddie to the public.  I expect him (Eddie) to win a world title and it will not take more than two years. 

What is your approach to get Eddie’s name out of the Pittsburgh area and into the national spotlight?

            I realize how hard it is going to be not because of Pittsburgh but because the way boxing is.  These is not an interest in finding new talent.  There is an ESPN bout on 8 May with the Pittsburgh Kid who holds the title but you would think that the New Pittsburgh Kid would be on the card.  He is an undefeated fighter, he a kid and we are ready to be on that card.

Paul Spadafora is our local champion.  He is not getting the recognition that he deserves.  With his experiences over the years is going to help the young fighters that are coming along.  We are going through to much in fighting.  Who are the trainers, who are the coaches both at the amateur and the professional level.  There must be a break through for all of us to work together.  As they say “always for the kids” we wish that it was true.  We have a tournament for this Friday with no information as to time, place and weigh in.  Were is the recognition there?  Now we have a group that is coming together in the amateur and junior program and these same coaches are involved with the professional program.  The improvement is forth coming. 

As a father, what are your feelings about Eddie getting hurt?

            There is always a possibility of getting hurt.  But the discipline we use in the gym is much different than most other gyms.  Eddie is fundamentally sound.  He has fifty-nine amateur fights, four professional fights and he has his first mark on his face.  If something would occur, immediately the career is over.  I look at Eddie to be fundamentally sound.  His elbows in, balance is good and still has that desire.  Without the desire it would be over. 

As Eddie’s trainer what did you see in his last bout?

            The competition in the last bout was not a problem.   I rated his performance a “C”.  I asked him to do things and he didn’t do them.  Remember, he is a child. As a child he will rebel and try to do things his way at times.  I stepped back and let him go.  It went six rounds and should have lasted three rounds.  In a way that was good.  He was able to find out how his condition was and where we need to go.  He went head hunting to much where he should have went to the body more.  He did not finish his combinations.  He is learning.    We are in the trenches for the next two years.

Thomas R. Watts

trwatts@insideboxing.com