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by James Slater: Philly heavyweight contender "Fast" Eddie Chambers fell hard in the dying seconds of his challenge of heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko back in March. Stopped by a devastating left to the chin with five seconds left on the clock in the 12th and final round, the talented 28-year-old lost the biggest fight of his career. Since then we have heard nothing from Chambers; a man many felt would live up to his potential and become a world champ.
One man who still feels Chambers, a small man for a heavyweight at just 6'1" and approx 208-pounds, can make it is Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward - the man who trains heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko and who urged his charge to go out and get that brutal last-round KO over "Fast" Eddie five months ago.
Speaking with The Houston Chronicle, Steward said he will begin working with Chambers soon, and that he will help get Chambers "where he needs to be."
"After Wladimir's rematch with Sam Peter, I'll be coming back to Philly so Rob [Murray Sr. Chamber's full-time trainer] and I can get together and do what we can to get this kid where he needs to be. Eddie is a phenomenal talent. I won't make drastic changes in his style; I'll just try to improve some things that are already there."
Steward, who insisted Murray will remain Chambers' head trainer, went as far as to say he feels Chambers, 35-2(18) is "the best heavyweight out there after Wladimir." Taking Emanuel at his word, does this mean he feels Chambers is better than Vitali Klitschko, the WBC heavyweight king? Certainly, the Philly boxer has a very nice skill set and he has beaten some good guys in his time as a pro - Sam Peter, of course, and Alexander Dimitrenko. But against "Dr. Steel Hammer," Chambers had an awful night; unable as he was to get close to Wladimir because, in large part, of the champion's wicked left jab. But could Chambers rise to the occasion and defeat any big man apart from the younger Klitschko?
With Steward's help, Chambers would perhaps have a good chance to out-box WBA ruler David Haye. And while a fight with Vitali looks unlikely - seeing as how the 39-year-old figures to have just a couple more bouts before retiring - that is maybe for the best. Styles make fights, and Chambers doesn't have the firepower to be able to deal with the two brothers. Against men his own size, though, Chambers is a threat to anyone (although he did manage to beat Dimitrenko, who was much bigger than him).
Steward has turned a number of careers around and helped fighters make amazing comebacks in the past; can he do the same for "Fast" Eddie? It will be interesting to find out, as will it be interesting to see when Chambers makes his ring return, and who against.
One man who still feels Chambers, a small man for a heavyweight at just 6'1" and approx 208-pounds, can make it is Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward - the man who trains heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko and who urged his charge to go out and get that brutal last-round KO over "Fast" Eddie five months ago.
Speaking with The Houston Chronicle, Steward said he will begin working with Chambers soon, and that he will help get Chambers "where he needs to be."
"After Wladimir's rematch with Sam Peter, I'll be coming back to Philly so Rob [Murray Sr. Chamber's full-time trainer] and I can get together and do what we can to get this kid where he needs to be. Eddie is a phenomenal talent. I won't make drastic changes in his style; I'll just try to improve some things that are already there."
Steward, who insisted Murray will remain Chambers' head trainer, went as far as to say he feels Chambers, 35-2(18) is "the best heavyweight out there after Wladimir." Taking Emanuel at his word, does this mean he feels Chambers is better than Vitali Klitschko, the WBC heavyweight king? Certainly, the Philly boxer has a very nice skill set and he has beaten some good guys in his time as a pro - Sam Peter, of course, and Alexander Dimitrenko. But against "Dr. Steel Hammer," Chambers had an awful night; unable as he was to get close to Wladimir because, in large part, of the champion's wicked left jab. But could Chambers rise to the occasion and defeat any big man apart from the younger Klitschko?
With Steward's help, Chambers would perhaps have a good chance to out-box WBA ruler David Haye. And while a fight with Vitali looks unlikely - seeing as how the 39-year-old figures to have just a couple more bouts before retiring - that is maybe for the best. Styles make fights, and Chambers doesn't have the firepower to be able to deal with the two brothers. Against men his own size, though, Chambers is a threat to anyone (although he did manage to beat Dimitrenko, who was much bigger than him).
Steward has turned a number of careers around and helped fighters make amazing comebacks in the past; can he do the same for "Fast" Eddie? It will be interesting to find out, as will it be interesting to see when Chambers makes his ring return, and who against.
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