I just watched this on tape, and it was a better fight than many are giving it credit for on this board. Chambers, I felt won it 115-113, but Brock pissed away the last round completely. Thoughts on the fighters: Chambers: I like him. He’s no world beater, but he’s also better than many are giving him credit for. Good high guard defense, subtle head movement to elude shots, bending back at an angle to elude shots, and quick combos when he does throw. Brock really didn’t land a lot of flush shots. He doesn’t have a lot of power, but that’s ok. Workrate will definitely need to come up if he’s going to trouble Povetkin. It will be interesting to see how he fights Povetkin; I suspect he’ll move laterally more and not walk in. If Chambers can stay busy, stick and move, and add more jabs to his arsenal, he stands a chance to make hay against Povetkin. If he walks forward and goes strictly high guard, I don’t really see Povetkin backing up, and Chambers likely gets tko’d late or decisioned. The fight should be a very interesting tactical matchup. Brock: He’s always perplexed me. Is he a boxer, a puncher, a counterpuncher? Always sort of enigmatic, good technique but no real discernible style or much to get too excited about. In this fight, he was active early and won some early rounds, then languished in the middle rounds and was too defensive while most of his counter shots were blocked. He was also out of shape some at 241 and his speed was affected, and frankly looked in the worst physical form of his career, although his stamina appeared ok. He fought a decent fight but did not deserve the decision. Bottom line is, Chambers is probably the best of this current crop of American heavyweights, his style isn’t tremendously crowd-pleasing, but boxing purists should find some interest in the guy. I give him credit for stepping up to fight in this tournament. If he trains a bit harder, decides to use more jabs, and lets his hands go more, all pretty easy points to correct, he’ll give Povetkin his toughest test yet. Here’s hoping he does and we get a good eliminator final.
I like Chambers, his jab is impressive and his high guard would help him a whole lot if he gets a chance to get in the ring with Wlad. Unlike most people on ESB Im giving Chambers a decent chance of beating Povetkin, but I would really like to see him be more active in this coming fight.
Calvin Brock should hang 'em up. The man has a college degree and operates his own travel agency. Maybe that's why there's no urgency in his game. No fire. It's clear that Brock doesn't need the heavyweight division...and the heavyweight division doesn't need him. They'll both survive fine.
Why should he give up doing what he loves, just cause he may never reach the very top? Isn't all the good aspects that come from being a top 15 fighter reason enough to continue? I know it would be for me. Brock obviously loves the sport and enjoys doing it, and really enjoys whatever notoriety and income he gets from his fighting career, regardless if if he ever reaches the top, or not. It dont' have to be the very top or nothing for a fighter to continue. I know I'd rather be someone like Brock or Jameel McCline, even knowing I'd never progess past that point, than be an unknown travel agency owner. Reaching the level that Brock is at would be a dream come true for many fighters. Gotta put it in perspective.