Eddie Chambers fought himself back into title contention with victory over Samuel Peter in Los Angeles on Friday.
Former heavyweight champ outboxed
Eddie Chambers fought himself back into title contention with victory over Samuel Peter in Los Angeles on Friday.
Chambers (34-1, 18 Kos) outboxed the former heavyweight champion to win by majority decision at the Nokia Theatre.
Peter, who lost the WBC title to Vitali Klitschko last October, struggled to penetrate the American's defence, losing most of the rounds because of his inability to connect.
And when Chambers, who turns 27 on Sunday, turned it up in the ninth the Nigerian was unable to respond to a barrage of heavy shots which resulted in a cut to his lower lip.
The win against Peter (30-2, 23 KOs) could set up a future title shot for Chambers, who is unbeaten in four fights, since losing an IBF title eliminator to Alexander Povetkin in January 2008.
"Defensively, I was happy about it," said Chambers. "He was a strong guy and he could punch and everything.
"But I'm a tough guy and I can fight with any heavyweight. I could take these shots just like anybody else."
Aggressive
One judge had the bout a draw, while the others had it 96-94 and 99-91 for Chambers.
"I expected it to go a lot better, but winning the fight is a big thing," he added.
"I landed some big shots. If I would have been just a little more aggressive I would have had more points.
"A lot of people don't think my punches can hold a strong, tough guy like Sam Peter at bay.
"But I proved that I could wobble him a bit, make him shaky and make him leery of my power. I just have to pick up the aggressiveness.
"I'm a smart fighter -- sometimes I think too much and I think that's what made the fight closer on one of the score cards."
Peter however, was disappointed with the judges' decisions, which handed him his second straight defeat.
"I don't feel it's accurate. I don't agree with them," he said. "I feel I pressed Chambers the entire fight and I'll be back."
