Pittsburgh's top heavyweight export Eddie Chambers takes on Wladimir Klitschko this weekend for the WBO and IBF titles.
Marking his third trip to Germany, the de-facto adopted home of a lot of Eastern European fighters these days, 'Fast Eddie' is probably more well known there than Stateside. Although few give Chambers (35-1, 18KO) a chance of upsetting the younger of the Klitschko brothers, the gap between the two probably isn't as big as the bookmakers have it.
Eddie at his best moves well and has little trouble with the plodding heavyweights that make up much of the current crop. Wladimir Klitschko (53-3, 47KO) is no ordinary opponent though, having had a virtual stranglehold on the division with elder brother Vitali for the last few years. Such is their dominance in fact that the heavyweight division as a whole is now more or less incapable of selling most of their fights to an American audience.
Even Chambers, the number one ranked heavyweight in the United States didn't warrant a televised pay per view event in the eyes of the industry controllers, and instead the fight will be shown online. Should Chambers win though, he would not only be immediately become a champion, but almost certainly several of the networks would pick up his fights.
That aside for the moment, the biggest factor in calling the fight will probably be whether Chambers can get close enough to Klitschko to land his shots consistently. Wlad like Vitali has developed into a strategic and some would say boring fighter who uses his jab and reach to control fights, backing away at the first sign of danger and ore often than not being happy with single shots.
If Chambers gets too close and clinching comes into play, this also benefits the much larger Klitschko who can use his 245lb frame to tire out the 208lb Chambers over the course of the fight.
The kind of fighters Klitschko has lost to in the past have been heavy hitters, and Chambers has only lost a decision to Alexander Povetkin, so not much to make of either record. Perhaps significantly though, Chambers loss against Povetkin was largely due to being outworked, and Klitschko has never been known to throw too many punches.
Klitschko does have a big punch, but perhaps because of his shaky chin tends not to risk getting hit back by his opponents if he can help it. Chambers isn't known for having a huge punch, although he does have a solid chin and is one of the faster heavies on the scene today.
Sadly as much as I want to pull for a local fighter, I see the fight heading Klitschko's way, probably by stoppage in the later rounds. Although Eddie will get past the time tested defense of Klitschko at times, I can see him taking some punishment on the way in. When he gets there he will have to deal with Klitschko either backing away or clinching, which will wear on the smaller fighter after couple of rounds. This is an intriguing match up for both fighters style wise, but Klitschko has the experience and the pedigree to pull through.
Speaking to Sportbox.ru Klitschko said of Chambers:
“A new page in the history of boxing will be written on that night, and I am glad to be part of it. How dangerous is Eddie Chambers? I am fully aware that this little man is extremely dangerous,”
“[Chambers] didn’t enter the elite of heavyweight boxing by accident, so my trainer Emmanuel Steward and I will immediately head to the gym to continue preparations for Saturday's meeting. I have huge respect for Chambers. We will see the things he said and what he promises to do in the ring on Saturday,”
He also took the time for a passing shot at British rival David Haye, who has pulled out of fights with both brothers for one reason or another.
“I am ready to defend my titles and leave all three belts in the Klitschko family. We still need one, but we'll discuss this later,” Klitschko said.
Pittsburgh's picks: Chambers 10, Klitschko 10. My prediction, Klitschko via tko, later rounds.
Mark Austin, Pittsburgh PA: "Chambers will get beat just like every other fighter out there today, and that includes all the so called up and comers like Povetkin and Haye as well. The only way the Klitschko's lose their belts is if they retire"
Bill Tenent, Pittsburgh PA: "Chambers has a better chance than anyone else at the moment. I think he has the speed to get past Klitschko's jab and maybe enough power to get a knockdown or two. I take Chambers via decision"
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