By Jake Donovan
Tomasz Adamek and Eddie Chambers posted polar opposite results at the scales for their 12-round heavyweight bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ (Saturday, NBC Sports Network 9PM ET).
Adamek came in at 225 lb., the heaviest of a storied career that has seen world title reigns at light heavyweight and cruiserweight. Chambers was visibly thinner than at any other point in his 11-plus years as a pro, as evidenced by weighing in at a career low 202 lb.
While the bout isn’t an official eliminator, title implications are believed to be at stake for a pair of contenders badly in need of a win at the top level.
Adamek fights for the second time since last year’s major letdown against Vitali Klitschko. The former two-division champ was given the benefit of a huge homecoming in his major Poland, but posted perhaps the worst performance of his career in falling to the long-reigning titlist in 10 rounds.
A brief fallout with promoter Main Events followed, before both sides put aside their differences and found a way to work together. Adamek returned this past March with a 10-round points win over Nagy Aguilera in a bout also aired on NBC Sports Network.
Chambers hit a career-high after dominating Alex Dimitrenko on the road in Germany nearly three years ago. The win led to a title shot against lineal heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko in March ‘10, but the Philly boxer showed up lethargic and disinterested, outboxed every step of the way before being flattened in the closing seconds of the fight.
Just one fight has followed since, a 12-round decision in a Feb. ’11 rematch with Derrick Rossy, whom Chambers previously stopped in seven rounds. Two separate fights were scheduled since, but Chambers suffered untimely injuries and was forced to withdraw from bouts with Tony Thompson and Sergei Liakhovich.
The latter was to serve as the headliner of the inaugural episode of “NBC Sports Fight Night Series” and in Chamber’s hometown of Philadelphia.
Also on the telecast, unbeaten heavyweight Bryant Jennings (13-0, 7KO) makes his third straight appearance on the series as he faces Steve Collins (25-1-1, 18KO).
ADD COMMENT VIEW COMMENTS (19)