By Jim Dower: Only 6’1” 208, Eddie Chambers (25-1, 18 KO’s) is one of the smaller heavyweights to have challenged IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (53-3, 47 KO’s) for his title. On Saturday night, Chambers has to hope that his lack of size and power won’t be a hindrance in him attempting to capture Klitschko’s two titles when he meets him at the 51,000 seat ESPRIT arena, in Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
The fight is expected to be a sellout, and it’s likely that few fans of Chambers will be flying over to Germany in big enough numbers to make themselves heard over the roar of the Klitschko faithful. Chambers thinks his hand speed will be a huge asset in this fight and enough to make up for his lack of size. Chambers believes that he can grind out a decision against the big 6’6” 245 Klitschko.
It might be easier for Chambers to look for a knockout rather than hoping that he can out-box Klitschko in front of a large German crowd. Earning decisions in Germany isn’t always easy for visiting fighters. Unless Chambers does something really spectacular, like knocking Klitschko down two or three times, beating him by a decision might prove tough to do.
Besides his lack of size and reach, Chambers isn’t known for being a big puncher. Chambers has only one knockout over a top tier fighter during his 10-year pro career and that’s a 7th round stoppage win over fringe contender Derric Rossy in 2007. Klitschko may not have a great chin, but it won’t be easy for Chambers to knock him out unless he lands something big early in the fight before Klitschko gets warmed up.
If Chambers lets Klitschko get too warmed up, he could end up getting stopped himself. Chambers will have the benefit of being the quicker fighter at close quarters. Chambers is an excellent inside fighter with a variety of punches to call on at close range. He’s good at stifling the offense of big punchers in close like he did last year against former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Samuel Peter, earning a 10 round decision over Peter.
Likewise, Chambers did a great job of getting inside against number #1 ranked Alexander Dimitrenko last year in a 12 round majority decision in July to earn the fight to fight Klitschko. Wladimir will be working hard to keep Chambers on the outside by using his jabs and power shots. Once Chambers gets too close, you can count on Wladimir clinching him immediately to foil Chambers’ attempts at landing.
This is a fight that Klitschko has to win if he wants to stay in the running for an eventual unification match against WBA heavyweight champion David Haye. As of now, both brothers want to fight Haye and haven’t yet decided which brother will get him first.
The undercard will put the big punching Travis Walker (34-3, 28 KO’s) going up against former cruiserweight Johnathon Banks (23-1, 16 KO’s) for the NABF heavyweight title. Also on the card, unbeaten heavyweight contender Alexander Ustinov (19-0, 15 KO’s) will fight journeyman Ed Mahone (24-9-2, 23 KO’s).
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