Eddie Chambers drops weight and performs at his best. Plus how weight plays a roll in the Marquez-Mayweather fight and the possible showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.
What a difference a fight makes for Eddie Chambers. Though we already know he's a skilled heavyweight, I openly criticized him for keeping his foot off the gas pedal against Sam Peter back in March and more importantly for coming in a little too heavy for his own good. In that fight, Chambers stepped in at a near high 223 pounds (224 was his highest). Sure, he looked fast as his nickname suggests and he outboxed the heavy hitting ‘Nigerian Nightmare' but he was grossly overweight – showing off plenty of pudginess in his midsection - a far cry from the superhuman physique of Wladimir Klitschko, the reigning heavyweight champ. Last week, Chambers came in at a finely trimmed 208 pounds while appearing much leaner and defined and you know what? He looked pretty damn good in the ring as he walked down the much bigger Alexander Dimitrenko (who weighed 253½ pounds) en route to a decision win in Germany. Now that's precisely how I would expect Chambers to not only perform but look. Let's be honest here, the heavyweight division is the most important division in the sport. Unfortunately right now it's not doing so well but when we think of an American fighter who may have the skillset to become a champion, we don't want him looking like he just left the buffet line three times in one day. Yeah I know the way he fights is more important but it also shows that he's dedicated by coming out in shape.
I take my hat off to you Eddie for sacrificing your size for a leaner look, faster hands and a more focused approach as you slowly broke down the massive, previously unbeaten fighter. I just hope ‘Fast' Eddie maintains himself in such shape and refuses to bulk up simply in the interest of not giving away too much weight.
Catchweights R' Us
A hot topic among boxing aficionados is the infamous issue of catchweights. We've seen more and more of this over the past two years and it has some people crying foul. "Weight classes are there for a reason", some would say and I partially agree. If a fight is set to take place at welterweight for instance, then let the fighters come in at any weight at or below 147 pounds, period. Unfortunately, we've been seeing guys meet at 143, 170 and so forth and so on. People start getting confused over these phantom weight divisions and in many occasions it causes problems. Fighter A doesn't want to lose more weight and fighter B wants to even things out if he's coming up in weight. Hey, if you can't make the weight, stay out of the division!
On the flip side, the benefit of these catchweights is that it's allowed us to see fights that we otherwise may not have seen. Take the Marquez-Mayweather fight for instance. Juan Manuel Marquez would absolutely have no interest in fighting at 147 pounds. He knows he's naturally too small to beef up that much but the possibility of fighting Floyd Mayweather has enticed him to move up from 135 pounds. Presto, change-o we now have a fight at either 143 or 145 pounds, depending on who you believe. This week, trainer Nacho Beristain mentioned that Marquez is beefing up and feeling comfortable, noting that the catchweight will be just fine for the lightweight champion. I do believe it and I also believe that the overall weight shouldn't be too much of a factor in the fight. On a related note, Manny Pacquiao who's campaigning at whatever weight class pays the most may end up fighting Miguel Cotto later this year. Cotto, who's a natural 147 pounder looks to be willing to drop a few pounds to fight Pacquiao who recently fought at 140 pounds in dethroning long time champion Ricky Hatton. Previously, he fought at welterweight against De La Hoya. Again, a catchweight is being brought up and had Cotto straight up said he would not fight below 147, we might not even be talking about the fight. So you see, catchweights do also have their benefits, in that there's a higher possibility that two fighters from different weight classes meet, if the fight is interesting enough.
Take it however you want. Perhaps you're against it or maybe you're for it. Officially put me "on the fence" about the subject but if I had to put my foot down and decide one way or the other, I say just end the nonsense, go back to eight weight classes and let them all go at it.
Random Thoughts
- Eddie Chambers' performance leads me to wonder what Chris Arreola would be like if he lost about 25 pounds. I figure it could only be a good thing for the unbeaten Mexican-American who's exciting to watch but suffers from excessive urges to eat. Let's see if he's serious about getting in better shape as he alluded to a few weeks ago especially now that his opponents are only going to get tougher.
- Our own John Curry was putting together a personal list of Top 10 tomato cans who have been fed to high level fighters. It's unfinished but from what I saw, it was pretty hilarious. I hope posts that one soon as I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
- So who out there has been enjoying Fight Night Round 4? I know I have and I made sure to scan my face using my Xbox Live camera. If you see me online, feel free to call me out! I wouldn't mind pounding on some of you out there and vice versa, I can only assume. My gamertag is Franchise2.
- We asked via our Twitter page about Joseph Agbeko's chances against Vic Darchinyan this weekend. Like me, I see that some of you out there feel he's a pretty live underdog. Should be a fun fight.
- Getting back to the issue of weight, should Mike Tyson indeed fight in December, anyone want to bet that he won't come in at under 230 pounds?
Till next time, see you at the fights!
What a difference a fight makes for Eddie Chambers. Though we already know he's a skilled heavyweight, I openly criticized him for keeping his foot off the gas pedal against Sam Peter back in March and more importantly for coming in a little too heavy for his own good. In that fight, Chambers stepped in at a near high 223 pounds (224 was his highest). Sure, he looked fast as his nickname suggests and he outboxed the heavy hitting ‘Nigerian Nightmare' but he was grossly overweight – showing off plenty of pudginess in his midsection - a far cry from the superhuman physique of Wladimir Klitschko, the reigning heavyweight champ. Last week, Chambers came in at a finely trimmed 208 pounds while appearing much leaner and defined and you know what? He looked pretty damn good in the ring as he walked down the much bigger Alexander Dimitrenko (who weighed 253½ pounds) en route to a decision win in Germany. Now that's precisely how I would expect Chambers to not only perform but look. Let's be honest here, the heavyweight division is the most important division in the sport. Unfortunately right now it's not doing so well but when we think of an American fighter who may have the skillset to become a champion, we don't want him looking like he just left the buffet line three times in one day. Yeah I know the way he fights is more important but it also shows that he's dedicated by coming out in shape.
I take my hat off to you Eddie for sacrificing your size for a leaner look, faster hands and a more focused approach as you slowly broke down the massive, previously unbeaten fighter. I just hope ‘Fast' Eddie maintains himself in such shape and refuses to bulk up simply in the interest of not giving away too much weight.
Catchweights R' Us
A hot topic among boxing aficionados is the infamous issue of catchweights. We've seen more and more of this over the past two years and it has some people crying foul. "Weight classes are there for a reason", some would say and I partially agree. If a fight is set to take place at welterweight for instance, then let the fighters come in at any weight at or below 147 pounds, period. Unfortunately, we've been seeing guys meet at 143, 170 and so forth and so on. People start getting confused over these phantom weight divisions and in many occasions it causes problems. Fighter A doesn't want to lose more weight and fighter B wants to even things out if he's coming up in weight. Hey, if you can't make the weight, stay out of the division!On the flip side, the benefit of these catchweights is that it's allowed us to see fights that we otherwise may not have seen. Take the Marquez-Mayweather fight for instance. Juan Manuel Marquez would absolutely have no interest in fighting at 147 pounds. He knows he's naturally too small to beef up that much but the possibility of fighting Floyd Mayweather has enticed him to move up from 135 pounds. Presto, change-o we now have a fight at either 143 or 145 pounds, depending on who you believe. This week, trainer Nacho Beristain mentioned that Marquez is beefing up and feeling comfortable, noting that the catchweight will be just fine for the lightweight champion. I do believe it and I also believe that the overall weight shouldn't be too much of a factor in the fight. On a related note, Manny Pacquiao who's campaigning at whatever weight class pays the most may end up fighting Miguel Cotto later this year. Cotto, who's a natural 147 pounder looks to be willing to drop a few pounds to fight Pacquiao who recently fought at 140 pounds in dethroning long time champion Ricky Hatton. Previously, he fought at welterweight against De La Hoya. Again, a catchweight is being brought up and had Cotto straight up said he would not fight below 147, we might not even be talking about the fight. So you see, catchweights do also have their benefits, in that there's a higher possibility that two fighters from different weight classes meet, if the fight is interesting enough.
Take it however you want. Perhaps you're against it or maybe you're for it. Officially put me "on the fence" about the subject but if I had to put my foot down and decide one way or the other, I say just end the nonsense, go back to eight weight classes and let them all go at it.
Random Thoughts
- Eddie Chambers' performance leads me to wonder what Chris Arreola would be like if he lost about 25 pounds. I figure it could only be a good thing for the unbeaten Mexican-American who's exciting to watch but suffers from excessive urges to eat. Let's see if he's serious about getting in better shape as he alluded to a few weeks ago especially now that his opponents are only going to get tougher.
- Our own John Curry was putting together a personal list of Top 10 tomato cans who have been fed to high level fighters. It's unfinished but from what I saw, it was pretty hilarious. I hope posts that one soon as I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
- So who out there has been enjoying Fight Night Round 4? I know I have and I made sure to scan my face using my Xbox Live camera. If you see me online, feel free to call me out! I wouldn't mind pounding on some of you out there and vice versa, I can only assume. My gamertag is Franchise2.
- We asked via our Twitter page about Joseph Agbeko's chances against Vic Darchinyan this weekend. Like me, I see that some of you out there feel he's a pretty live underdog. Should be a fun fight.
- Getting back to the issue of weight, should Mike Tyson indeed fight in December, anyone want to bet that he won't come in at under 230 pounds?
Till next time, see you at the fights!
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