The story of how Mark Chamberlain became a fixture on Saudi Arabian super cards is so unlikely that it will be repeated time and time again for as long as the Portsmouth lightweight boxes.
The unbeaten prospect may have been elevated to the grandest stage ahead of schedule but he grasped his opportunity and is performing like a fighter made for the big occasion rather than a fortunate competition winner. Chamberlain is producing the type of performances that will ensure the tale of his quick rise becomes a footnote to his career rather than the major talking point.
After taking apart former European champion, Gavin Gwynne, in March, the 25 year old southpaw was – once again – punch perfect as he ruthlessly dismantled Nigeria’s Joshua Wahab within the opening round.
“I’m a bit frozen at the minute after how quickly everything happened. I warmed up for longer in the changing rooms. I prepared for a long hard fight and expected one,” Chamberlain, 16-0 (12 KOs). said after the fight.
“Wahab is a very tough man. He’s never been stopped before and look what I’ve just done to him in the first round. It’s amazing.
“It was a bit of a shock. I think it was the first left hand I threw and he was out on his feet. When he got up I thought, ‘I’ll have to be a bit wary here.’ The second one caught him and blew out of the way.”
The undisputed heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has quite rightly dominated media attention this week and Chamberlain’s latest appearance went under the radar.
Being out of the spotlight gave him the opportunity to go about his business quietly and professionally and solidify himself as a legitimate contender rather than simply a favorite of the man behind Saudi Arabia’s emergence as the home of big time boxing, Turki Alalsheikh.
Chamberlain is also making moves on the world scene. He sits at number 10 with the WBC and collected the governing body’s Silver title for taking care of Wahab. He is certain to be provided with an opportunity to climb the rankings further in the not too distant future.
“This time felt smoother, now I know what to expect in the build up,” he said. “The first time, we had a schedule we had to follow every evening. It was a bit different this time as I’ve been there and done it eight or nine weeks ago.
“[I want to] keep winning. This is a major title for me. The WBC just said, ‘Welcome on board, this is your first step. Keep winning and keep being a role model.”
“It’s crazy. Boys dream of being on a big card let alone on the biggest platform in the world, back to back.”
Speculation will now begin to build about a fight between Chamberlain and unbeaten British, Commonwealth and European champion, Sam Noakes, 14-0 (13 KOs).
Whereas six months ago, a fight between the two knockout artists would have been a major domestic title clash, its appeal is steadily growing. Noakes is a rising force in his own right and goes about his business in a relentless, all action manner. Chamberlain is more measured and methodical but has the ability to end a fight in a split second. Given the rate at which both fighters are progressing, a future shoot-out between the two may well end up having world title implications.
“We’re both on different paths. That’s clear now,” Chamberlain said.
“I should have picked up the European title last time out but couldn’t because of the IBF title [I had]. Financially, if it makes sense I’m sure Frank will make it happen but I’m just loving what I’m doing. I’m in the top 10 with the WBC and up in the other world rankings.
“We’re on different paths, that’s quite clear now. Let’s be honest.”
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