UNCASVILLE, CT – Many believe that “Fast” Eddie Chambers, who is on the verge of his cruiserweight debut, is poised to prove himself to be the best 200-pounder in the world. However, in his inaugural step into the division, Chambers, 36-3, 18 KOs, is tasked with taking on the most dangerous cruiserweight that nobody knows, Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu, 12-1, 9 KOs.

The pair will collide on the next edition of Fight Night on NBC Sports Network, Saturday, August 3rd, at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. The fight is part of a blockbuster triple header that also features Curtis Stevens against Saul Roman and Tomasz Adamek versus Tony Grano. The telecast will begin at 10:30 PM EDT.

As a heavyweight, Chambers fought the best in the world, and the only criticism he ever drew was that he was just too small for the division. On the scales, he barely registered as a heavyweight, but in the ring he still managed to box his way to a trio of regional heavyweight belts and a crack at the world championship against Wladimir Klitschko.

Chambers

Now as a cruiserweight, Chambers’ days of spotting his opponents significant advantages in weight are over, and fans can only imagine how well the Philadelphian might do at the lower weight. A finesse artist throughout his career, Fast Eddie has the potential to out-box the entire crop of cruisers campaigning today. However, he’ll have a riddle to solve against the unknown Mchunu.

The South African southpaw makes his American debut against Chambers, but brings solid credentials into the fight. “The Rock” has won three African titles, been a cruiserweight his entire career, and sports an impressive 77% knockout ratio. But perhaps the best advantage he brings in against Chambers may be the mystery that surrounds him. Mchunu, 24, will be looking to take Eddie, 31, by surprise, and introduce himself to American fans in the process.

Mchunu
In addition to these story lines, it is the potential of the match itself that has boxing fans most excited, and some outlets calling this a “five star” fight. They say styles makes fights, and with Chambers’ speed and Mchunu’s power, it appears the 10-rounder shapes up as an ideal boxer-puncher match-up between two fighters looking to impress. And that is always a good thing.

FIGHT INFO: August 3rd “Three To See” card at Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT. In the main event Curtis Stevens and Saul Roman will clash for 10-rounds in a middleweight war. Also co-featured will be a 10-round cruiserweight battle between Eddie Chambers and Thabiso Mchunu. Heavyweight, Tomasz “Goral” Adamek will take on Tony Grano, Hartford, CT, 20-3-1, 16 KO’s, for 10-rounds.

NBC Sports Network Fight Night will telecast the August 3rd show beginning 10:30PM EDT.

Tickets are priced at $120 and $35 plus facility fees and can be purchased by calling Mohegan Sun Box office 860-862-8499 or through Ticketmaster. For ADA accessible sales, call Mohegan Sun Box Office at 860-862-8499.

UNCASVILLE, CT – The last time middleweight Curtis “Showtime” Stevens was in the ring, something happened that he didn’t plan on. The hard-punching boxer from Brooklyn, NY was extended for the full 8-round limit. Although he won a unanimous decision that day, the result didn’t sit well with the hot prospect. If it was up to Stevens, 24-3, 17 KOs, every single one of his fights would end in a KO.

“I don’t get paid overtime,” Stevens recently said, summing up his boxing philosophy.

The exciting New Yorker gets a chance to register another knockout when appears in the 10-round main event on August 3rd at the Mohegan Sun, in Uncasville, CT. Stevens faces veteran Saul Roman, 37-9, 31 KOs, in the nationally televised contest.

The fight is the highlight bout of a triple header card on the next edition of Fight Night. The other televised bouts feature heavyweight Tomasz Adamek, 48-2, 29 KOs, and Tony Grano, 20-3-1, 16 KOs, in a 10-round heavyweight contest, and Eddie Chambers, 36-3, 18 KOs, in his first cruiserweight fight against Thabiso Mchunu,13-0, 10 KOs, also scheduled for 10 rounds.

Prior to his last bout, Stevens blasted out his previous two opponents in a single round each. However, against Roman he will find a battle-tested professional who figures to seriously test his punching power. The Mexican has been in with the best and sees Stevens as the final hurdle to the world title shot that has eluded him during his 13-year career.

With Stevens on the brink of big things in the middleweight division, he will certainly bring his “A” game into the ring against Roman. And for Stevens that means only one thing – a knockout. However if Stevens wants to add another flashy KO to his record, he’s going to have to work for it against Roman.

But that’s exactly what Stevens has done throughout his boxing career. His penchant for punching surfaced early in his amateur days, when he was first labeled as a dangerous knockout artist. This reputation has stuck in the professional ranks, and Stevens would like nothing more than to make another statement in the nationally televised main event.

With both fighters in hot pursuit of victory, their fight on August 3rd should prove to be an explosive encounter.

FIGHT INFO: August 3rd “Three To See” card at Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT. In the main event Curtis Stevens and Saul Roman will clash for 10-rounds in a middleweight war. Also co-featured will be a 10-round cruiserweight battle between Eddie Chambers and Thabiso Mchunu. Heavyweight, Tomasz “Goral” Adamek will take on Tony Grano, Hartford, CT, 20-3-1, 16 KO’s, for 10-rounds.

NBC Sports Network Fight Night will telecast the August 3rd show beginning 10:30PM EDT.

Tickets are priced at $120 and $35 plus facility fees and can be purchased by calling Mohegan Sun Box office 860-862-8499 or toll free at 888-226-7711 ext 8499. For ADA accessible sales, call Mohegan Sun Box Office at 860-862-8499.

Tickets are on sale today, June 14th for the exciting “Three To See” August 3rd triple header at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

Headlining the card in a 10-round middlewight challenge is Curtis “Showtime” Stevens of Brooklyn, NY, 24-3, 17 KO’s, as he takes on Saul Roman of Tijuana, Mexico, 37-9, 31 KO’s.

Former USBA Heavyweight Champion, “Fast” Eddie Chambers, 36-3, 18 KO’s of Philadelphia, PA will battle Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu, 12-1, 9 KO’s, of South Africa in the 10-round heavyweight co-feature.

NBC Sports Network will feature these two fights on their August 3rd Fight Night series. The telecast begins at 10:30PM EDT.

Tomasz “Goral” Adamek, 48-2, 29 KO’s, of Gilowice Poland and Jersey City has also been added to the Mohegan Sun card. He will take on Hartford, CT favorite, Tony Grano, 20-3-1,16 KO’s in a 10-round heavyweight war.

Tickets are priced at $120 and $35 plus facility fees and can be purchased by calling Mohegan Sun Box office 860-862-8499 or toll free at 888-226-7711 ext 8499. For ADA accessible sales, call Mohegan Sun Box Office at 860-862-8499.

Tomasz Adamek’s opponent for the August 3, NBC Sports Network Fight Night card has been confirmed. Adamek, 48-2, 29 KO’s, will take on Tony Grano, 20-3-1, 16 KO’s, in Grano’s own hometown in a 10-round heavyweight challenge. The number of Tomasz’s legion of loyal Polish boxing fans may well rival the popular Grano’s hometown crowd. One thing is certain, the house will be rocking at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.

Main Events CEO, Kathy Duva said, “This match up is against two guys that are right in front of each other and can punch, either can go at any time. This promises to be an exciting brawl.”

Headlining the card is a 10-round middleweight contest featuring Brooklyn’s Curtis “Showtime” Stevens, 24-3, 17 KO’s against tough Saul Roman, 37-9, 31 KO’s of Tijuana, Mexico. In a 10-round cruiserweight battle “Fast” Eddie Chambers, 36-3, 18 KO’s, from Philadelphia meets up with South African, Thabiso Mchunu, 12-1, 9 KO’s.

Adamek is happy to be back in the ring, “After fighting four fights in 2012, I was able to take a rest. Now I feel I will be able to get back in the ring refreshed and remind all my long-time fans what the ‘Mountain Boy’ is really about.” He added, ” I understand Grano is a fighter who really comes to fight. I intend to do the same. I think all of our fans will be pleased on August 3rd.”

Grano said, ” I am very grateful for this opportunity. I’m excited to fight Adamek.” He also agreed with Adamek’s sentinment, ” Adamek comes to fight, as do I. This is going to be a great show for all of our fans.”

In the wake of Cristobal Arreola’s withdrawl from the March 9th HBO show, Eddie Chambers (36-3, 18 KO’s) has offered to step up to fight Bermane Stiverne (22-1-1, 20 KO’s). Chambers has been in the gym and says he is ready to take Stiverne on.

Eddie Chambers said, “I am always in the gym. I was training anyway. It would be very easy for me to take the March 9th fight against Stiverne. I think this is a great opportunity, just too good to pass up.”

“Eddie is a throwback, old-time fighter. He is always ready to go. As soon as he heard Arreola backed out of the fight Eddie called me to say he wanted to step in to fight Stiverne. We would be happy to make this fight.” said Chambers promoter, Kathy Duva.

PHILADELPHIA – Heavyweight contender “Fast” Eddie Chambers, 36-3, 18 KOs, Philadelphia, has decided to campaign as a cruiserweight. It is a move that he believes will bring him a world title belt.

“The cruiserweight division is better because I’ll be fighting guys my size,” Chambers said. “I may have had some advantages at heavyweight, but imagine me at cruiser, fighting against someone my own size.”

Chambers hasn’t weighted over 210 pounds for a fight in more than three years, and feels that the move down to the 200-pound cruiserweight limit will make him more competitive and offer greater opportunity for him to become champion.

“I want to be a world champion,” Chambers said. “That’s what you set out to do when you start boxing. That’s what I want to be, and I’ve worked my entire boxing career, and most of my life, at that. I want to achieve it. I see that title (belt) wrapped around my waist.”

Main Events is currently riding a wave of success with their nationally televised “Fight Night” boxing series on the NBC Sports Network. Chambers looks forward to more national exposure on the popular program.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Chambers said. “Main Events puts on nothing but great fights. I’m just happy to be part of it. They really have confidence in my ability, and it led me to believe that these were the people for me.”

Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO, said, “I don’t think anyone in the cruiserweight division can beat Eddie Chambers, period. We are very happy that he has decided to work with us towards his goal of winning the cruiserweight title and I have no doubt in my mind that he will get there very soon.”

Eddie Chambers will undergo surgery today to repair an injury he suffered during his June 16th NBC Sports Network “Fight Night” battle against Tomasz Adamek.

Chambers revealed, “At the end of the first round I felt something rip. I remember thinking ‘Hey, that didn’t feel right’. It turns out I the tore a tendon that connects my bicep to the bone. I am having surgery to repair that.”

Chambers is anxious to get back in the ring, “Once I have the surgery, I will do physical therapy for about 2 months. I will keep in shape physically. You know running, and anything that doesn’t require upper body, etc. Just to stay in shape and stay ready so that once I get back it’s not going to take as long to get ready for fighting. I want to get back into a fight as soon as I possibly can after that.”

NEWARK, NJ–Tomasz Adamek scored a closer then the scores unanimous decision over Eddie Chambers in a a twelve round Heavyweight bout the featured recent world title challengers at the Prudential center.

It was a close fight that saw Chambers handicapped in the first round when he injured his left bicep. Chambers was forced to become a one handed fighter as he would pivot on his feet in order to throw jabs from a modified southpaw stance. Despite the disadvantage Chambers was able to get through with overhand rights as Adamek did not react well to the speed of Chambers.

Adamek got things rolling in the middle rounds as it was his pressure and volume to the tune of 919 to 462 punches thrown that caught the judges eyes yet Chambers out landed his foe 152-134.

A lot of the rounds were close but the judges chose the activity of Adamek over the accuracy of Chambers.

Adamek, 225 lbs of Gilowice, Poland won by scores of 116-112 on two card while a third card read an outlandish 119-109 tally. Adamek is now 46-2. Chambers, 202 lbs of Philadelphia is now 36-3.

Bryant Jennings remained undefeated and captured the USBA Heavyweight Title with a ten round unanimous decision over Steve Collins.

Jennings took a couple of rounds before opening up in round three. Jennings dropped Collins in round four from a combination that was started by an uppercut that ultimately pushed Collins into the ropes and the eight count was rendered. Over the next couple of rounds, Jennings landed some hard combinations and Collins showed a sturdy chin. Jennings continued to work the body and head with sots with both hands. Jennings rocked Collins at the end of round nine and cruised home with victory via 100-89 scores on each card.

Jennings,225 lbs of Philadelphia is 14-0. Collins, 244 lbs of Houston, TX is 25-2.

Jamaal Davis boxed his way to a eight round unanimous decision over hard punching Doel Carrasquillo in a Jr, Middleweight bout.

Davis, 154 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 & 78-74and is now 14-8-1. Carrasquillo, 155 1/2 lbs of Lancaster,PA is now 16-20-1.

John Thompson remained perfect by boxing his way to a six round unanimous decision over John Mackey in a Middleweight bout.

Thompson used his decisive speed to pound out the decision by scores of 59-55, 59-55 and 58-56.

Thompson, 155 1/2 lbs of Newark is now 9-0. Mackey, 155 1/2 lbs of Washington, DC is 13-7-1.

Patrick Farrell dropped David Williams in round two and cruised home to afour round unanimous decision in a Heavyweight bout.

Farrell won by scores of 40-35, 40-35 and 39-36 and is now 7-1-1. Williams is 6-6-1.

Jose Mangu Peralta stopped Dontre King at 2:28 of round four of their scheduled six round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Peralta dropped King in round’s three and four. Peralts, 140 lbs of Jersey City, NJ is 9-1 with five knockouts. King, 142 lbs of Cambridge, MD is now 6-11-2.

Former Olympian Taureano Johnson scored a six round unanimous decision over Roberto Yong in a Middleweight bout.

Johnson landed the harder blows which included several clipping over hand rights. Yong was game as he tried to fight back and did OK in spurts but it was the volume shots of Johnson that was the difference.

Johnson, 161 1/2 lbs of Nassau, Bahamas won by scores of 58-56 on all cards and is now 9-0. Yong, 162 lbs of Sacramento, CA is now 5-5-1.

On Saturday, June 16th, NBC Sports Network “Fight Night will return with Tomasz “Goral” Adamek vs. “Fast” Eddie Chambers at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The first fight will be 6:30pm at “The Rock” and the NBCSN broadcast will begin begin at 9PM ET.

The undercard is a true boxing fan’s dream:

Bryant Jennings:
Jennings made a big splash when he agreed to step into the very first NBC Sports Network Fight Night main event. Jennings beat Maurice Byarm that night, and has been on a roll ever since. His TKO of Sergei Liakhovich on NBCSN in March proved that Jennings was no fluke. This Saturday, Jennings, 13-0, 6 KOs, makes his third appearance on the series when he takes on Steve Collins, 25-1, 18 KOs for the USBA heavyweight title in the 10-round co-feature.

vs.

Steve Collins:
The once-defeated Texan Steve Collins, 25-1-1, 18 KOs, has twice as many pro bouts as the fast-rising Bryant Jennings, and has more knockouts than Jennings has fights. So, the “Freight Train”, as his fans call him, may present a stern challenge for the new NBCSN star. With all that power, Collins will certainly be looking to test Jennings’ chin. To help him out, the Texan will have height and weight advantages over the Philadelphian. Perhaps Collins can do what Jennings’ previous 13 opponents could not.

________________

Curtis Stevens:
In his first fight as a true middleweight (160 lbs.), Curtis Stevens, 22-3, 16 KOs, looks to make a splash before Adamek’s Polish fans at the Prudential Center, where he upset then undefeated Pitor Wilczewski, in his last start in Newark, on July 11, 2009. Curtis has extra incentive this time out now that his new baby boy, Amor, is in his life and inspiring him to work harder than ever. Stevens faces Marcus Upshaw, 14-7-2, 6 KOs, in an 8-rounder that will air on NBCSN between the co-feature and main event.

vs.

Marcus Upshaw:
Floridian Marcus Upshaw, 14-6-2, 6 KOs, is best known for his 2008 draw with James McGirt, Jr. His last time out he beat Durrell Richardson by unanimous decision. This time, he’s had a full five weeks of training camp, and comes to Newark with upset on his mind. The natural 160-pounder should be a real test for Curtis Stevens.

________________

Doel Carrasquillo:
Known as “The Upset King” to many, the heavy-handed Doel Carrasquillo is the kind of guy who is in the fight until the very end, even if he falls behind on the scorecards. Doel carries fight-ending power in both fists, as upset victims Shamone Alvarez (TKO5), Denis Doughlin (TKO3), and many others can attest. His deceiving record of 16-19-1, 14 KOs, has lulled many into thinking he is a push over, but Carrasquillo always comes to fight. Jamaal Davis will have to be careful in this one.

vs.

Jamaal Davis:
Jamaal “Da Truth” Davis, 13-8-1, 6 KOs, is coming off a solid decision victory over tough Eberto Medina, and is looking to stay in the win column against Carrasquillo, in this his second appearance at the Prudential Center. The classic Philly fighter, has faced one tough foe after another in his career, and is always prepared to do battle. Davis has the skills to beat Carrasquillo, but will have his hands full until the final bell. Davis will have to be at his best in this must-win fight.

________________

Jose Peralta:
Jersey City resident, Jose Peralta makes his third start at “the Rock” when he squares off against Dontre King of Maryland in a 6-round bout. In his last fight, Peralta topped Samuel Santana in tough battle, for his sixth straight victory. If he can keep that streak going against King, Peralta, 8-1, 4 KOs, may start turning some heads in the jr. welterweight division.

vs.

Dontre King:
This Maryland measuring stick figures to test Peralta, as he has numerous other young prospects. Although he lost his last bout, Dontre King went four for five before that. If taken lightly he’s a sleeper that is ready to pounce. He’s the type of guy Peralta has to be careful with. He’s not squeamish about taking out-of-town fights, or facing rising stars with pretty records. In fact, that’s exactly what he does.

_____________

John Thompson:
Known as the “Apollo Kid”, John Thompson is a hometown middleweight making his first-ever start at Prudential Center. He’ll try to impress the boxing-smart Newark crowd when he puts his spotless, 8-0, 3 KOs record on the line against journeyman John Mackey of Montgomery, AL. The 22-bout veteran is the most experienced fighter Thompson has ever faced.

vs.

John Mackey:
It was not so long ago that John Mackey, 13-6-3, 6 KOs, dished a 15-0 Donald Orr his first career setback. He’ll be looking to do the same against John Thompson Saturday night. He’s previously fought before the action-hungry Prudential Center crowd, so he knows he has to come to fight. In his last bout, Mackey held 11-1 Vladine Biosse to an 8-round draw. Thompson’s mere 8-0 record has Mackey licking his chops.

_________________

Tureano Johnson:
Undefeated Tureano Johnson looks to extend his pro winning streak to nine straight with his first trip to “the Rock”. Only two fighters have avoided being knocked out by Johnson, a native of the Bahamas. As an amateur, Johnson had more than 300 bouts and spent three years in the Cuban amateur boxing program, which to a boxer, is like getting a Harvard education. Johnson faces Roberto Yong on Saturday.

vs.

Roberto Yong:
Roberto Yong is coming off his upset of skilled Philadelphian Fred Jenkins, Jr. His two-fisted power punching shocked the undefeated Jenkins, who may have been caught looking past Yong’s ordinary-looking 5-4-1, 4 KOs, record. No doubt Yong will be looking to surprise Tureano Johnson when they meet in their six-round middleweight scrap.

_____________

Patrick Farrell:
A fireman from Jersey City, heavyweight Patrick Farrell, 6-1-1, 3 KOs, is no stranger to the Pru Center fans. His 4-rounder against Philly’s David Williams on Saturday will be his fourth appearance at the venue. Farrell’s only loss came at the hands of another Philadelphian, so he will be looking for some measure of revenge against Williams.

vs.

David Williams:
Philadelphia’s David Williams will be looking to end his three-bout losing streak when he gets in the ring with Patrick Farrell. Williams lost to rising star Bryant Jennings about one year ago, so he’s been in with some very stiff competition. He should provide a good test for Farrell, who’s 50% KO percentage may not be enough to send Williams back to Philly early.

FIGHT INFO: The June 16th NBC Sports Network Fight Night card at Newark’s Prudential Center features Tomasz Adamek vs. Eddie Chambers. Co-featured on the card will be Bryant Jennings vs. Steve Collins, Garrett, Indiana, 25-1,18 KO’s. The NBCSN broadcast will begin at 9PM ET. Co-featured on the card will be fellow heavyweights Bryant Jennings vs. Steve Collins. Between the main event and the co-feature, Curtis Stevens takes on Marcus Upshaw in a middleweight battle. The NBCSN broadcast will begin at 9PM ET.The card is presented by Main Events in association with Peltz Boxing, Ziggy Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Tickets priced at $254 ringside, $104, $79, and $54 available through Ticketmaster: online at www.ticketmaster.com; Charge-by-phone: 1-800-745-3000; Ticketmaster Express 866-448-7849; and Ticketmaster ticket centers. Tickets are also available at Prudential Center’s Box Office and www.prucenter.com.

NBC Sports Network

“Fight Night 36: Eddie Chambers” Air Dates

TV-PG

Upcoming Air Times for “Fight Night 36: Eddie Chambers”

June 13, 9:00 PM
June 14, 9:30 AM

June 14, 7:30 PM
June 15, 9:00 AM
June 15, 11:00 PM
June 16, 6:00 PM
June 16, 8:30 PM
June 17, 11:00 PM

NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE (All Times ET)

Saturday, June 16, 9-11 pm – Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Friday, September 21, 9-11pm – Site TBA
Saturday, December 8, 9-11 pm – Site TBA

To find the location of the NBC Sports Network on your local cable, satellite or IPTV provider, click here:http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30092015/ns/sports/

Tweet the link to NBC Sports Network Fight Night channel finder: bit.ly/175UuU
Twitter: #FightNight
Twitter: @main_events @NBCSN
Facebook:facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing facebook.com/NBCSports

On Saturday, June 16, Tomasz “Goral” Adamek, the Pride of Poland, will take on “Fast” Eddie Chambers in a clash of heavyweight contenders at the Prudential Center in Newark. Earlier in the day, the Polish national soccer team will face the Czech Republic in the first round of the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament.

Worried about choosing? Don’t be! Head over to Newark in the afternoon to catch the soccer match on TV in one of the great local bars near the Prudential Center then head inside to watch the fights live when the match is over – a true sports fan experience!

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (224 Market Street) will supply Polish flavor for the match with $21 buckets of Okocim beer (6 bottles per bucket).

Brick City Bar & Grill (35 Edison Place) will have happy hour throughout the soccer match: $7 apps, $4 domestic drafts, $5 Avion Tequila shots, $7 specialty martinis.

Loft 47 (47 Edison Place) is offering $15 buckets of beer (Budweiser, Bud Light and Bud Lime).

FIGHT INFO: The June 16th NBC Sports Network Fight Night card at Newark’s Prudential Center features Tomasz Adamek vs. Eddie Chambers. Co-featured on the card will be Bryant Jennings vs. Steve Collins, Garrett, Indiana, 25-1,18 KO’s. The NBCSN broadcast will begin at 9PM ET. The card is presented by Main Events in association with Peltz Boxing, Ziggy Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Tickets priced at $254 ringside, $104, $79, and $54 available through Ticketmaster: online at www.ticketmaster.com; Charge-by-phone: 1-800-745-3000; Ticketmaster Express 866-448-7849; and Ticketmaster ticket centers. Tickets are also available at Prudential Center’s Box Office and www.prucenter.com.

NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE (All Times ET)

Saturday, June 16, 9-11 pm – Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Friday, September 21, 9-11pm – Site TBA
Saturday, December 8, 9-11 pm – Site TBA

To find the location of the NBC Sports Network on your local cable, satellite or IPTV provider, click here:http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30092015/ns/sports/

Tweet the link to NBC Sports Network Fight Night channel finder: bit.ly/175UuU
Twitter: #FightNight
Twitter: @main_events @NBCSN
Facebook: facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing facebook.com

NBC Sports Network’s second installment of Fight Night 36 premieres tomorrow night with a look at Heavyweight contender, Eddie Chambers as he prepares for his big fight against Tomasz Adamek on June 16th.

NBC’s Fight Night 36 follows Chambers as he leaves his home environment for the first time and trains at the legendary Kronk gym in Detroit. Cameras capture Chambers as he works, trains for the fight and even has a little fun. During a moment that only Fight Night 36 could capture, cameras travel with Chambers to a local hotdog stand in Detroit where he takes a break from his strict diet and forces himself to take one bite of a hotdog.

Fight Night 36 is a collaboration of NBC Sports and P3 Entertainment.

NBC Sports Network

“Fight Night 36: Eddie Chambers” Air Dates

TV-PG

Upcoming Air Times for “Fight Night 36: Eddie Chambers”

June 13, 9:00 PM
June 14, 9:30 AM
June 14, 7:30 PM
June 15, 9:00 AM
June 15, 11:00 PM
June 16, 6:00 PM
June 16, 8:30 PM
June 17, 11:00 PM

FIGHT INFO: The June 16th NBC Sports Network Fight Night card at Newark’s Prudential Center features Tomasz Adamek vs. Eddie Chambers. Co-featured on the card will be Bryant Jennings vs. Steve Collins, Garrett, Indiana, 25-1,18 KO’s. The NBCSN broadcast will begin at 9PM ET. The card is presented by Main Events in association with Peltz Boxing, Ziggy Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Tickets priced at $254 ringside, $104, $79, and $54 available through Ticketmaster: online at www.ticketmaster.com; Charge-by-phone: 1-800-745-3000; Ticketmaster Express 866-448-7849; and Ticketmaster ticket centers. Tickets are also available at Prudential Center’s Box Office and www.prucenter.com.

NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE (All Times ET)

Saturday, June 16, 9-11 pm – Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Friday, September 21, 9-11pm – Site TBA
Saturday, December 8, 9-11 pm – Site TBA

To find the location of the NBC Sports Network on your local cable, satellite or IPTV provider, click here:http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30092015/ns/sports/

Tweet the link to NBC Sports Network Fight Night channel finder: bit.ly/175UuU
Twitter: #FightNight
Twitter: @main_events @NBCSN
Facebook: facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing facebook.com/NBCSports

Loft 47, Newark, NJ – A press conference was held today for the upcoming NBC Sports Network Fight Night card, June 16 at Prudential Center, Newark NJ. The card features a 10 round bout between Tomasz Adamek and Eddie Chambers. Co-featured on the card will be Bryant Jennings vs. Steve Collins.

Chambers and Adamek
Photo Credits: Wojciech Kubik – Kubikfoto

Here’s what eveyone had to say:

Gary Quinn, Sr. Director, Program Planning and Acquisitions: “I come bearing very good news from the television side of this series. We could not be more pleased about the way we have started off this series, with the January and the March shows. There was some apprehension to be brutally honest about getting back into the boxing business, but all those fears are gone and the wonderful thing is that we can build more and more continuity. The ratings for the January and the March shows really exceeded our expectations. The nice thing about the March show is that everyone was saying . ‘Well nobody young watches boxing anymore.’ Well our strongest demo for that fight was men 18 to 34, so that’s a very key stat. We think Main Events and Peltz boxing built a very good buzz leading up to the fight, and we certainly appreciate all the support of the boxing community. We are also very happy to announce that we have added another date for our “Fight Night” series on September 21st “.

Kathy Duva, CEO Main Events: “It’s funny, There’s no champion here, there’s no challenger, It’s a 10-rounder between two guys who are top five fighters and it’s sadly become a rarity in the heavyweight division. We hope to make that a much more common occurrence as we go forward with NBC. We are really pleased that this fight is going to be that kind of pick ’em fight. If you look on the boxing websites you see the comments. One guy says I’m picking Chambers, the next guy says I’m picking Adamek, well that’s what makes a great boxing match. This is a fight that both guys are certain they are coming to win.

Jennings, Chambers, Duva, Adamek

Photo Credits: Yvette Beshier, 1Lifeboxing.com

James Bashir, Chambers Trainer: “It is a breath of fresh air to be working with someone who wants to fight with the best. You couldn’t ask for a better match up. These are two guys who want it, two different styles clashing and two guys who are not trying to avoid anything in boxing. Ziggy (Rozalski, Adamek’s advisor) said to me earlier, ‘We were surprised that Eddie took this fight,’ and I said ‘Hmm, we were surprised that Tomasz took this fight!’ Not only does this fight do good for the fans, not only does this fight do good for the heavyweight division, this fight does good for boxing period! Boxing needs healing and these guys meeting each other at this level is great! It’s a great fight. It’s one of the most exciting fights out there. Mayweather and Cotto are getting ready to fight, but to me it’s a fight that should have happened five years ago. This fight is happening right on time. Both guys have met and been defeated by the Klitschko brothers and where else do you go but right back to the top by fighting the best in the division? So on the 16th we are going to match wits to see who is the best guy to go back and meet the champions.”

Chambers, Jennings and Adamek

Photo Credits to Mike Gladysz

Eddie Chambers: “I really think this opportunity is great for all parties involved. It’s almost like back in the days when I was growing up, you had those three channels and you could still get the fights. We are starting to get that back, where everybody could see the fights. I think it’s great. I think you couldn’t have put two more classy fighters in the ring together -two fighters that are going to fight, similar styles, more action. I know Tomasz is going to have a lot of fans coming to support him, so please come out and support me!”

Eddie Chambers
Photo Credit: Jayson Colon/FightImages.com

Tomasz Adamek: “I am very excited to come back to Prudential Center. I want to give a good fight to my fans. I think for everybody this is a good situation, it is very close to my home and all my fans can come to see me.”

Tomasz Adamek

Photo Credit: Jayson Colon/FightImages.com

FIGHT INFO:

The June 16th NBC Sports Network Fight Night card at Newark’s Prudential Center features Tomasz Adamek vs. Eddie Chambers. Co-featured on the card will be Bryant Jennings vs. Steve Collins, Garrett, Indiana, 25-1,18 KO’s. The NBCSN broadcast will begin at 9PM ET. Prudential doors open at 6:00PM. The card is presented by Main Events in association with Peltz Boxing, Ziggy Promotions and Goosen Tutor Promotions.

Ticket priced at $254 ringside, $104, $79, and $54 available through Ticketmaster: online at www.ticketmaster.com; Charge-by-phone: 1-800-745-3000; Ticketmaster Express 866-448-7849; and Ticketmaster ticket centers. Tickets are also available at Prudential Center’s Box Office and www.prucenter.com.

Ticket priced at $254 ringside, $104, $79, and $54 available through Ticketmaster: online at www.ticketmaster.com; Charge-by-phone: 1-800-745-3000; Ticketmaster Express 866-448-7849; and Ticketmaster ticket centers. Tickets are also available at Prudential Center’s Box Office and www.prucenter.com.

TOTOWA, NJ – Main Events announced today that Tomasz Adamek and Eddie Chambers will face off in a battle of heavyweight contenders, on Saturday, June 16, 2012, at the Prudential Center, in Newark, NJ. The fight is the feature bout of the fourth edition of NBC Sports Network’s nationally televised “Fight Night” boxing series. The TV broadcast will begin at 9PM ET.

The competitive 10-round contest pits two former title challengers against each other
in an important fight that should move the winner up the heavyweight ladder, and place him closer to a second crack at one of the Klitschko brothers. Given the goal of both Adamek and Chambers is to win the heavyweight title, it figures that they are approaching this fight as a “must-win”.

Adamek, 45-2, 28 KOs, a former world light-heavyweight and cruiserweight champion, faced Vitali Klitschko for the WBC belt last September. Tomasz lost that bid for the heavyweight title by TKO after ten rounds, but bounced back nicely in March with an impressive points win over tough Nagy Aguilera in Brooklyn, NY. Adamek is driven to earn another chance at boxing’s biggest title.

Adamek spoke of Chambers, “”They say Eddie Chambers has fast hands and likes to throw punches. I am also fast and I like to throw punches. I think on June 16th we will have a very exciting fight.” Adamek is very pleased to be returning to Prudential Center, “For me the most important part of the fight is to please the boxing fans. At Prudential Center I always have many fans come to cheer me on, it is very loud, exciting. I think it will be a good show.”

In 2010, Eddie Chambers, 36-2, 18 KOs, took on IBF-WBO-IBO-Ring Magazine champion Wladimir Klitschko, in his lone try for the heavyweight crown, but was stopped in the 12th and final round. Since that bout, Chambers defeated Derric Rossy by lopsided unanimous 12-round decision, in Atlantic City last year. Chambers, a Pittsburgh-born Philly fighter, is considered by many to be the best American heavyweight on the scene.

“I never went away, but once I beat Adamek, I’m right back in the middle of it all,” said Chambers. “All respect to Tomasz. He’s exciting and has a lot of heart, but I’ll be ready for anything.”

The fight between the two contenders appears to be a fascinating clash of styles, with the aggressive Adamek likely to press Chambers, the quick-fisted boxer. Whichever fighter can do their thing better, should come out on top. But going in, this fight is too close to call.

The setting for the fight should also add a layer of excitement to the event. The Prudential Center is home turf for the Polish-born Adamek, who fights out of Jersey City. In the past, he has crammed “The Rock” numerous times with his loyal fan base, but Chambers should also expect solid support from his Philadelphia backers, just an hour’s drive away. With so much on the line between the two popular boxers, a boisterous crowd is expected to jam-pack the arena for this important heavyweight showdown.

Kathy Duva talked about the event, “This is the kind of competitive ‘pick ’em’ fight that the NBC Sports Network Fight Night Series is all about,” promoter Kathy Duva said. “We expect that Prudential Center will be a sea of red and white as Adamek makes his first appearance there in over a year. It will be a night of pure excitement and lots of fun. I can’t wait.”

Tickets will go on sale shortly. Details to follow.

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (January 18, 2012) – Former world heavyweight champion Sergei “The White Wolf” Liakhovich is not fighting this Saturday because his scheduled opponent, “Fast” Eddie Chambers, failed in a timely fashion to notify Team Liakhovich that he was pulling out of their fight due to broken ribs, which resulted in the cancellation of their fight as well as insufficient time to find a suitable replacement for Chambers..

Liakhovich (25-4, 16 KOs) and Chambers (36-2, 18 KOs) were scheduled to headline Saturday’s NBC Sport Network’s “Fight Night” debut show live from Philadelphia’s Asylum Arena.

“Eddie Chambers is trying to save face in the press but I want to set the story straight by telling everyone what really happened,” Liakhovich said. “Chambers’ medical report about his broken ribs is dated, January 6, 2012. He knew about his broken ribs back then but he didn’t let us know until January 13, seven days before our fight. Instead of shooting his mouth off to the press for a week about how easily he was going to beat me, when he already knew he was not going to fight me, he and his team should have acted professionally and immediately informed my team of his injury. If we had two week’s notice, I have no doubt that finding a suitable replacement and making training adjustments wouldn’t have been a problem, but it was a serious problem trying to do so with only seven days to go before the fight.

“I think boxers like Chambers should be punished by every promoter and networks should know how he operates. He plays the good guy to the press, but Chambers is a fake. He didn’t have the simple decency to tell another athlete about him pulling out of the fight as soon as he knew. It was his obligation to inform everyone immediately.I wasted six weeks of training, as well as the expenses for training camp, and now I’m not fighting because of his actions. NBC Sport Network, Main Events and everyone involved had to scramble to put together a main event at the last minute, all the results of Chamber’s action. He is all talk and no action. So, for now, Chambers is history.”

Liakhovich, a 1996 Bellarusian Olympian, captured the World Boxing Association (“WBO”) heavyweight title in 2006 by way of a unanimous 12-round decision over Lamon Brewster.

Already in top shape for his now cancelled fight against Chambers, Sergei is now targeting world heavyweight contender Chris Arreola. “Arreola is waiting for another big payday to fight one of the Klitschkos,” Liakhovich commented. “He’s been fighting journeyman after journeyman. How about a real fight with me? I challenge Arreola to take a fight with me. This is a fight boxing fans would love to watch.”

Heavyweight contender discusses his disappointing injury that forced him to pull out with his bout against Sergei Liakhovich

Heavyweight contender Eddie Chambers suffered displaced fractures of his left anterior ninth and tenth ribs in training and, therefore, has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled 10-round bout with Sergei Liakhovich on the inaugural NBC Sports Network’s Fight Night card from the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia, PA on January 21st.

Promoters Main Events and Peltz Boxing have reached out for a replacement for Chambers and will make an announcement as soon as possible.

During a recent media event at Joe Hand Gym Boxing Gym in Philadelphia, fighters, promoters and network officials agreed that getting back to boxing basics in the City of Brotherly Love was just what the doctor ordered.

Gary Quinn, Senior Director, Program Planning and Aquisitions, NBC Sports Group, explained how Philadelphia ties in to the NBC Sports Network Fight Night game plan, “What we think puts us in a unique position to make this series succeed is now that we have the NBC Sports Group formulated, we’ve got 4 media platforms: we’ve got the NBC broadcast network; we’ve got the 24/7 NBC Sports Network; we have the 12 regional sports networks; and our digital platforms. It’s no coincidence that we are here in Philadelphia where we have one of the strongest RSN’s (Regional Sports Network) with CSN (Comcast SportsNet) Philly.”

Quinn added, “So you can say, ‘okay you’ve got the promotional platform, but you’ve got to have the product to make it work.’ We think we do. We’ve come up with a model that resembled what we did back in the day when The Fight Doctor (Ferdie Pacheco) said, ‘The key is putting crossroads fights on. You don’t have to worry about titles; you don’t have to worry about records. You want to match styles that will put on a good show.’ We feel Kathy (Duva) and Russell (Peltz) have done a great job on this card from top to bottom. That’s going to be the theme, to put on wars that have our viewers wanting more and more.”

Kathy Duva, CEO Main Events, explained the location for the debut show, “Philadelphia has a powerful boxing history and many avid boxing fans, we want to use that to make our show successful. Five of the eight bouts on this amazing card feature fighters that are from Philly. We want people in the audience that are from Philadelphia, so that everyone in the arena has a rooting interest, so we know they are going to make a lot of noise. This is why we chose Philly fighters like Gabriel Rosado and Ray Robinson to be on the undercard, they make terrific fights and have a big following. This will make for a great night in the arena and on TV.”

Ray Robinson, 12-2, 5 KO’s, will be in an 8 round welterweight fight against Doel Carasquillo, of Frederica, DE, 16-18-1, 14 KO’s. He assured the crowd that he was ready to put on a great show, “This is going to be an action-packed fight. Anybody that knows me knows I bring the fight. I’m a great boxer. I’ve trained hard enough for anything. I’ll make sure that it’s going to be a great fight on January 21st because it is on my birthday!”

Ray Robinson –
Credits: Philly Boxing History

Fellow Philadelphian, Gabriel Rosado, 18-5, 10 KO’s, faces Jesus Soto Karass of Los Mochis, 24-6-3, 16 KO’s, in what promises to be a 10 round junior welterweight war. Rosado ensured his fans that he was ready to give them a rousing show, “I am excited about this card. Soto Karass is a tough guy and I am excited to make a statement. I am going to show that I am a heavy hitter at 154. It’s going to be one helluva fight. Soto Karass is gonna bring it. I’m ready for everything. I have a big following and they’re all gonna come. I can’t wait.”

Gabriel Rosado –
Credits: Philly Boxing History

Kathy Duva spoke of choosing the main event for the NBCSN Fight Night debut show, “When the time comes to try to actually make the fights that everybody wants to see, you find out it’s a lot harder than you thought it might be. As we went through the list, we found consistently that in the heavyweight division there were a lot more people willing to fight each other than anywhere else. And I think that that’s a good thing.” She went on to say, “There’s a lot of talk about how the heavyweight division isn’t what it used to be. Well I’ll tell you, in recent years the only opportunity for heavyweights was to wait their turn to go to Germany and get beat up by one of the Klitschko’s. That does not make for becoming a better fighter, that does not cause anyone to learn or get better. What makes a great fighter is that they have to be in competitive fights, they have to learn as they go along.”

“We were delighted when we were able to make arrangements with Eddie Chamber’s promoter, Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor to bring him to this show. He hasn’t fought in Philadelphia in a very long time, so this is a bit of a homecoming for him. He is one of the top heavyweights in the world and he has agreed to fight another one of the top heavyweights in the world, Sergei Liakhovich. This is exactly the kind of match we were looking for. They both have a lot at stake, they are both going to come in and do their best, and they’re both going to try to win,” Duva concluded.

Philadelphia resident, Eddie Chambers, 36-2, 18 KO’s, was in very good spirits as he discussed his upcoming battle with Sergei Liakhovich, Scottsdale, AZ, 25-4, 16 KO’s, on NBC Sports Network, “I’d really like to thank NBC for stepping up to the plate and trying to bring boxing back to what it used to be. I hate to disappoint NBC because they want competitive fights and all, but in my opinion this is not going to be a competitive fight.” He confidently boasted, “I got a lot of respect for Sergei; he’s been a world champion; a really good fighter; but I think I’m a little more advanced than he is! I think I pose a lot of threats to him. I’ve watched some his tapes, and some of the things he’s done. It doesn’t hurt that I am probably in the best shape that I’ve ever been in. I think it’s not going to be easy, but I think what I bring to the table is going to be too much for him to handle.”

To find NBC Sports Network on your TV, visit http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/ and use the NBC Sports Network Channel Finder on the right-hand side of the webpage.

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Promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor, the non-televised undercard fights will begin at 7 p.m. ET on January 21st.
Televised bouts begin at 9 p.m. ET. Tickets are priced at $45 and $65 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing, (215) 765-0922, or online at www.peltzboxing.com

Former world Heavyweight title challenger “Fast” Eddie Chambers talks about his January 21st fight with Sergei Liakhovich

Main Events CEO Kathy Duva talks about the 1st show on NBC Sports Network that will feature Eddie Chambers and Sergei Liakhovich on January 21st in Philadelphia

Press conference to announce NBC Sports Network first boxing show that will take place on January 21st in Philadelphia featuring Eddie Chambers taking on Sergei Liakhovich

On Saturday, January 21, boxing fans will be treated to an all-out war at the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when hometown favorite “King” Gabriel Rosado (18-5, 10 KO’s) battles Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico’s Jesus Soto Karass (24-6-3, 16 KO’s) in a ten-round junior middleweight showdown live on NBC Sports Network at 9pm E/T. The bout is part of a fan-pleasing card headlined by a ten-round heavyweight clash between “Fast” Eddie Chambers (36-2, 18 KO’s) and Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich (25-4, 16 KO’s), and is the first of four outstanding fight cards to be televised by the network this year.

Rosado, 25, has never been in a dull fight due to his crowd-pleasing style, and is riding a four-fight winning streak heading into his contest with Soto Karass. Rosado’s technique is very exciting for fight fans because he uses adept lateral movement remarkably well, but always ends up in a blow-for-blow fracas with the opposition.

Rosado is ecstatic to fight again in his hometown of Philadelphia and says he is prepared to take on Soto Karass. “He’s coming up to my weight class,” stated Rosado. “I have the size advantage, and I am going to use my power more in this fight. I could always box, but I am going to back this guy up!” Rosado added, “He’s used to guys boxing him. I am not going to give him a comfort zone. I am going to overpower him, walk him down and back him up. I will take him out of his element.”

Soto Karass, 29, has a granite chin, and has never been knocked out in a prize fight. From December of 2005 thru August of 2009, Soto Karass did not sustain a loss, compiling a record of (13-0-1, 6 KO’s). He dropped his last four ring appearances, going 0-3 with one no-contest, in bloody – and sometimes controversial -fashion.

Soto Karass is not one to take a backward step from his challengers, which was clearly exhibited in his two confrontations with Mike Jones, the first of which he lost in a highly-contested, ten-round majority decision on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito. Soto Karass wore Jones down with relentless pressure, taking an enormous amount of punishment to dish out his own damaging shots in a back and forth melee.

Soto Karass believes NBC Sports Network could not have chosen a better opponent for Rosado, “Everyone that has seen me fight knows that when they come to watch me they are going to get a great show. With Rosado, it’s a fight that will be a give and take war. I know that Rosado is more of a boxer, this camp we’ve been working my on my boxing. And if I have to go forward, I’ll go forward, no problem.” Soto Karass added, “This fight will be a little more intelligent, but I really do see this becoming a war. The boxing fans should definitely watch this, they will not be disappointed.”

If there was ever a fight deemed a “crossroads fight” in boxing, Rosado vs. Soto Karass is certainly it. Neither man can afford another loss on their record. There’s no better recipe for an exhilarating fight than two guys desperate for victory, battling in a packed Philadelphia boxing venue. NBC Sports Network and boxing fans everywhere won the moment this fight was signed.

Contributed in part by -Michael Seiler – The Boxing Republic

Promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor, the non-televised undercard fights will begin at 7 p.m. Televised fights will begin at 9 p.m.Tickets are priced at $45 and $65 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing, (215) 765-0922 or online at www.peltzboxing.com

NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE (All Times ET)

Saturday, January 21, 9-11 p.m. – Philadelphia

Saturday, March 24, 10 p.m.-Midnight – Site TBA

Saturday, June 16, 9-11 p.m. – Site TBA

Saturday, December 8, 9-11 p.m. – Site TBA

In a bout that has the makings of a match made in boxing heaven, former Heavyweight Champion Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich takes on top Heavyweight Contender “Fast” Eddie Chambers to open the new NBC Sports Network’s Fight Night on January 21, 2012, at 9pm, at Asylum Arena in Philadelphia.

Sergei is a native of Belarus and grew up in the former Soviet Union. He attributes his upbringing to the type of fighter and person he is today. “Growing up in Belarus was the best life lesson for me. It prepared me for all the challenges that life brings.” “It made me stronger and hungrier for a better life.” Someone once said ‘sports does not build character, it reveals it,’ growing up in Belarus definitely helped build my character!”

Since he was 12 years old, Liakhovich always dreamed of becoming a professional boxer. When Sergei was young he would cut out articles from newspapers and magazines which featured fighters like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. He envisaged becoming a boxing icon. “I knew that the United States was the most important place to be in order to make it big in professional boxing. When I was 23, I obtained one of my goals by coming to the US, it wasn’t easy. Becoming World Champion at 29 was the next big accomplishment, now I intend to continue the dream by becoming a world champion again” Sergei said.

Commenting about fighting in a city with a rich boxing heritage, Liakhovich said, “Philadelphia has so much boxing history and true boxing fans. I grew up in the working class city, so this feels like going home to me. One of the biggest compliments you can have as a fighter is when you can turn a crowd that comes to support the home town guy into your own fans by the end of the fight. It happened in Pittsburgh when I fought Brewster and I think it will happen again in Philly.”

Sergei is pleased to be on NBC Sports Network’s inaugural Fight Night show, “I am so excited to have the opportunity to be in the main event on NBC Sports Network’s opening show. NBC is an important part of worldwide TV and to be chosen for this show was a privilege. Anyone who knows me knows that I give my all each time I step in the ring. I promise you nothing less on January 21st. In fact, since our styles match perfectly, when Chambers and I mix it up, it will be a night boxing fans will talk about!”

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Promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor, the non-televised undercard fights will begin at 7 p.m. Televised fights will begin at 9 p.m.Tickets are priced at $45 and $65 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing, (215) 765-0922.

NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE (All Times ET)

Saturday, January 21, 9-11 p.m. – Philadelphia

Saturday, March 24, 10 p.m.-Midnight – Site TBA

Saturday, June 16, 9-11 p.m. – Site TBA

Saturday, December 8, 9-11 p.m. – Site TBA

When he opens the new NBC Sports Network’s Fight Night series on January 21, 2012 at Asylum Arena in his hometown of Philadelphia, top Heavyweight Contender “Fast” Eddie Chambers has promised to impress Philly’s discerning boxing fans and make lots of new ones. According to Chambers, taking on former World Heavyweight Champion Siarhei “White Wolf” Liakhovich in a high profile, nationally televised fight is a great way to showcase the sport and bring new fans for the Sweet Science.

“I want people outside of boxing and new fans coming in to know just how hard I work, and how much work all fighters put in,” Chambers said. “I believe that the Heavyweight Championship is the most coveted title in sports. Everyone loves a Gladiator and that is what boxing is about. NBC Sports Network stepping up to the table will hopefully get fans to take a look at the sport once again and jump on the band wagon. This is exactly what we need. I know when the fans tune in January 21st they will not be disappointed.”

Chambers continued, “I am training extremely hard and it is great having the opportunity to be fighting back in front of your fans, your people, and knowing that most of the people that are there in the crowd are for you.” He went on to say that he loves fighting in places like Germany, but there is no place like home.

Boxing has been in Eddie Chamber’s blood since he was a child growing up in Pittsburgh. His father, Eddie Chambers Sr. was a boxer back in the 1970s. Eddie Sr. taught his son how to hold his hands properly to throw a punch at the tender age of 9. Starting around the age of 12, Eddie Sr. would sit with Eddie and watch films of all the great fighters such as “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, and of course Muhammad Ali. After two years of arguing with his father to allow him to box, Eddie Jr. finally got the chance at the age of 14 when he enrolled in a local Pittsburgh Golden Gloves Tournament.

Eddie turned professional at the age of 18 on December 29, 2000. He defeated Tyrone Austin by second round knockout in West Virginia. His next professional fight occurred just two months later in his now adopted hometown of Philadelphia, PA one of the best boxing cities in the world and the ultimate proving ground for young, up-and-coming fighters.

When I was 18 and 19, I was fighting at the Blue Horizon,” Chambers said. Those were some of the toughest fights I have ever had and there was so much pressure to do well. The crowd always gives you their best and there is so much history. Philadelphia has the best fans, but they will definitely let you know how they feel. There are so many great venues around the city and such great history. I want to make my own history and be among the greatest.”

On March 20, 2010, Chambers took on Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf, Germany for the WBO, IBF, and IBO Heavyweight Championship of the World. Chambers gave a valiant effort and performance in the ring before losing via knockout in the waning seconds of the fight. At 6’1, 210 lbs, Chambers gave up five inches and nearly 35 pounds to Klitschko. Chambers posed a challenge to Klitschko with speed and toughness that nearly carried Chambers the distance of the fight. Chambers was the first person in two years to make it to the twelfth round against the tough Ukrainian.

Chambers did not fight again until February 11, 2011, when he took on a former opponent who he knocked out a few years earlier in Derric Rossy. In an IBF Title Eliminator, Chambers defeated Rossy once again, this time by unanimous decision.

Looking toward his upcoming challenge, Chambers describes Liakhovich as a good fighter who fought a great match when he won the title by beating Lamon Brewster in 2006. “Liakhovich is a very competitive and very live opponent. I think our style match up will make for a very exciting fight. Right now Liakhovich is in my way. I always respect my opponent, but I have to knock him out of the way. I plan on doing that and taking care of business on January 21st in impressive fashion.”

Promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor, the non-televised undercard fights will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $45 and $65 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing, (215) 765-0922.

Philadelphia heavyweight contender “Fast” Eddie Chambers takes on former World Heavyweight Champion Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich on Saturday, January 21st when the NBC Sports Network (currently named VERSUS) brings its inaugural NBC Sports Network Fight Night broadcast to the City of Brotherly Love.

Making his first hometown appearance since 2008, Chambers, (36-2, 18 KO’s), who learned to fight in Philly’s legendary gyms, will have his hands full when he faces “The White Wolf” of Scottsdale, AZ (25-4, 16 KO’s) at Philadelphia’s Asylum Arena. A former Russian Olympian, Liakhovich is an aggressive, heavy-handed competitor who rarely takes a step backwards and always makes great fights. His epic 2006 brawl with Lamon Brewster, when the native of Vitebsk, Belarus won the WBO Heavyweight Championship, is still characterized by many boxing pundits as the best heavyweight fight of the past ten years.

Opening the television broadcast at 9 p.m. will be a blistering junior middleweight battle between “King” Gabriel Rosado of Philadelphia (18-5, 10 KO’s) and Jesus Soto-Karass of Tijuana, Mexico (24-6, 16 KO’s). “Soto-Karass made his reputation in two wars with Mike Jones,” NBCSN Fight Night’s Hall of Fame matchmaker Russell Peltz said, referring to a recent pair of thrilling bouts involving Soto-Karass and Jones, the world’s number one welterweight contender. “Rosado vs. Soto-Karass is a huge fight in Philly,” he commented. “It’s the kind of bout where records don’t matter. It’s all about the fight in the ring and there will be action from the first bell.”

“Our ambition with this series is to make interesting, competitive fights that are relevant to the markets where they take place,” said promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events. “In short, fights that people would pay to see. I think that this card delivers on all of those counts and I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere at the Asylum when the fighters touch gloves.”

Promoted by Main Events, Peltz Productions and Goossen Tutor, the non-televised undercard fights will begin at 7 p.m. The remainder of the card will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets priced at $45 and $65 can be reserved by calling Peltz Boxing, (215) 765-0922.

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that the IBF has named Tony Thompson the mandatory challenger for champion Wladimir Klitschko after Eddie Chambers deemed himself unavailable to take on Thompson.

Chambers was due to fight Thompson on October 28th but couldn’t fight due to a back injury and when he could not fight on the proposed December 17th date, The IBF elevated Thompson to the top spot to rematch Klistchko of a fight that saw the champion stop Thompson in the 11th round in July of 2008.

“I was borderline sappy. I really felt I was going to start bawling like a baby because I wanted this opportunity so bad,” Thompson told ESPN.com on Monday.

“Knowing I wasn’t at 100 percent has been eating away at me for the past three years,” said Thompson, who fought with an injured knee that required surgery following the fight. “Now to have another opportunity at the ripe old age of 40, I will be at my best in terms of conditioning and my knowledge of the game. This means everything to me.”

“Eddie, in essence, forfeited his opportunity and felt he was wasn’t going to be prepared physically or mentally for the rescheduled date,” said Dan Goossen, who promotes Thompson and Chambers. “So the IBF obviously took the position, which we certainly agreed with, that there was a box-off to get to the final eliminator and anything other than naming Tony the mandatory wasn’t right. Tony did everything he was supposed to do, including prepare himself for Oct. 28 and begin preparing himself for Dec. 17 if Eddie was going to participate.

“We would have all preferred that the fight occurred to establish the mandatory, but it didn’t work out that way. I was one of the voices to Eddie telling him this was an opportunity that very few people get. I told him, ‘I would give it careful consideration to make sure you make the right decision.’ When things get down to it, it’s always up to the fighter. I’m not going to talk a fighter into it if the fighter doesn’t feel like he is physically or mentally ready for whatever reason. We are in very rough sport. You can get hurt when you are physically and mentally prepared to fight and the chances are even more so if you are not.”

“As down as Tony was when he heard Eddie wasn’t fighting, obviously he is excited for the chance to fight Wladimir again,” Goossen said. “He told me on the phone when he found out he was the mandatory, ‘Dan, I promise you I’m gonna knock out Wladimir Klitschko and become heavyweight champion of the world.’ I just have that belief that Tony can surprise a lot of people when that opportunity happens.

“He has eight kids and works his butt off to take care of them. He knows what hardship is and what’s in front of him. He’s gotten better and better as the years have gone on. He doesn’t like to talk about it, but he had a bad knee in the first fight and he never complained about it.”

“It wouldn’t be fair to me to make me fight a guy who didn’t have a preliminary fight (in the box-off), so I feel the IBF made a fair decision and I’m thankful,” Thompson said.

“He was always leery of the fight and the purse he was being offered when all this started, but to come this late in a training camp and then pull out I was surprised,” Thompson said. “But he called me and assured me he does have a legitimate injury. He wanted to assure me he wasn’t pulling the wool over my eyes and wanted to assure me as a buddy.

“Had he put me through another training camp and then pulled out (before the rescheduled date) that would have been worse. Now I can start preparing for Wladimir right now. Yes, I was angry I didn’t get to perform on Showtime (on Oct. 28) and bring a fight to the public, but I’m always a glass half-full guy. I am where I wanted to be — in position to fight Wladimir Klitschko for the heavyweight championship of the world.

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that IBF number-one ranked Heavyweight “Fast” Eddie Chambers will not be able to compete in next Friday night’s mandated elimination bout with Tony Thompson due to a back injury.

Originally a tripleheader, the show will now feature two televised bouts, with super middleweight prospect Brandon Gonzales (14-0, 10 KOs) facing veteran Ossie Duran (26-8-2, 9 KOs), and 2008 U.S. Olympian Javier Molina (9-0, 4 KOs) against Artemio Reyes (13-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight bout.

“It’s always disappointing when you have a fight with a lot on the line and one of the fighters gets hurt. There’s nothing you can do about it. It’s part of the sport,” Dan Goossen, who promotes Thompson and Chambers, told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “It’s one of the breaks of the game. I just hate to see Tony Thompson putting all this hard work in and now he’s faced with not fighting next Friday.”

“This has been an ongoing thing and it just caught up to me,” Chambers told ESPN.com. “My back has always been tight and that’s a very stubborn area in your body. But it’s really gotten to me. I was sparring last week and it really got to me.

“I don’t think it was any specific move or punch, but it became unbearable. I just don’t want to get in there with a guy like Tony and half-ass it. You’re asking for either a bad performance or a loss, and I don’t want either of those. It’s unfortunate. I worked really hard, but I’m injured.”

“In camp, my back was tight,” he said. “I would do some rounds and then I couldn’t move. I was going to tough it out, but I just couldn’t perform. My back was tightening up when I was just walking around.”

“If we can’t reschedule the fight, I believe Tony should just become the mandatory because he has performed within the guidelines of the tournament,” Goossen said. “Or we can try to reschedule the fight for later in the year.”