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Photos © Jim Everett/SaddoBoxing
This week’s ESPN Friday Night Fights was the host to a great action fight of two undefeated heavyweights at Suffolk Community College in Selden, New York. Local favorite Derric Rossy had hoped to use his size and determination to overcome the smaller, more experienced Eddie Chambers. Chambers was able to use his experience of having 12 more professional fights as well as 75 more amateur fights to win by TKO victory in the seventh round.
Early in the first two rounds, Rossy came out as the aggressor, landing several great body shots with a high level of accuracy. Chambers seemed comfortable to fight off the ropes as he covered up well and responded with sharp blows to Rossy’s head.
Chambers began to use his hand speed at the end of the second round, landing a left hook and two consecutive rights, but received the worst of the exchanges with a bad cut over his left eye.
The action was non-stop in the third round. Both fighters were bloodied; Chambers from the cut over his eye and Rossy from the nose. A strong lead right from Rossy was met with quick paced 1-2 combinations. Rossy continued to be active and put Chambers, who was more than comfortable to block and fight from the inside, on the ropes.
The fight became one-sided during the next few rounds with Chambers taking control. Rossy began to tire, breathing with an open mouth due to the blood from his nose. Chambers stepped it up, landing short right hands all over Rossy in the seventh round. Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. called for the ring doctor to look at Rossy’s right eye, which was now horribly swollen shut.
After reviewing the eye, the doctor allowed the fight to continue, which only enabled Chambers to land shots at will. Chambers became hesitant to continue and asked Mercante Jr to stop the bout due to the grotesque eye and lack of defense from Rossy. Reluctantly, he landed a few more shots before Mercante Jr stopped the bout, telling Rossy, “no more, you are taking too many big shots, there’s another day.”
Chambers’ record improved to 28-0 (16), winning the vacant USBA Heavyweight Title and taking the first step towards other significant tests and bigger prizes in the division. Rossy’s record drops to 15-1 (9) and although he suffered a loss, he can still move on to a successful career in the heavyweight division. Rossy’s valuable experience in fighting the more seasoned Chambers will help him prepare for his future and echo the words of referee Arthur Mercante Jr and fight another day.
