Wladimir Klitschko likely to fight Eddie Chambers next

by Scott Christ on Aug 10, 2009 10:38 PM EDT in Boxing News Analysis

"Fast" Eddie Chambers is the likely next opponent for world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. (Photo via static.boxrec.com)

Though he has two mandatories, and one has been pending for over a year, world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko appears to have made up his mind. BoxingScene.com's Rick Reeno reports that sources indicate Klitschko will face American Eddie Chambers next, perhaps on December 12.

Chambers (35-1, 18 KO) won his distinction as the WBO mandatory challenger by beating previously-undefeated Alexander Dimitrenko in July. Klitschko's other mandatory is IBF top-rated Alexander Povetkin (17-0, 12 KO), who won a four-man mini-tournament in late 2007/early 2008. Povetkin first beat Chris Byrd, and then defeated Chambers in the final eliminator bout.

Povetkin was scheduled to face Klitschko last December, in fact, a full 11 months after his win over Chambers. But he came up injured and was replaced rather pathetically by former champion Hasim Rahman. Povetkin has fought twice since beating Chambers, staying busy in July 2008 with a win over journeyman Taurus Sykes and beating Jason Estrada in April.

Reeno says that the Klitschko decision may have been influenced by the sanctioning bodies themselves, as the WBO's window is shorter than the IBF's. The IBF, frankly, seems pretty laid back and mellow about this whole thing. Povetkin earned that shot about 20 months ago.

One thing you can say about Wladimir: He isn't willing to give up his belts without having someone beat him.

As much as I like Chambers right now, I see this being no different than your average Wlad defense when all is said and done. Klitschko will timidly dominate and the other guy will either get sick of being jabbed in the face so many times and give up, or it'll go 12 boring rounds. Chambers doesn't have the type of power to chin check Wlad. I don't see this being a whole lot different than Wlad-Chris Byrd, really. Klitschko has nothing to fear against Eddie.

I'm also not going to try to get myself hyped for this fight. I kept trying to believe in Klitschko fights, but they're such snoozers I gave up before the Chagaev fight even happened, and that turned out to be a fine call on my part. Deep down I'll hope for a good fight, but I know it's not happening.

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‘m also not going to try to get myself hyped for this fight. I kept trying to believe in Klitschko fights, but they’re such snoozers

I hear ya man, but Chambers has earned my respect recently. I like the dude. I’ll have a hard time resisting hoping for the fool’s chance that he somehow finds a way to win.

Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"

by Matt Miller on Aug 10, 2009 11:21 PM EDT reply actions

Chambers just doesn’t seem like he has love for the game. I know I’ll take heat for this… but Wladimir, sort of, you know, does.

Maybe its not as simple as that, but I’ve seem some on here give passes for boring yet dominant fighters (Floyd, Bernard) and even for boring fighters who aren’t really dominant (Winky). Klitschko and Chambers aren’t what I’d call pulse-pounding, bllod and guts excitement, but they have managed to execute at a high level. I’ll be watching this fight closely f it comes off. As far as fighters go historically, Wlad Klitschko isn’t really a mountain to be climbed as much as he’s a puzzle to be solved. I have a certain interest in that as a boxing fan.

"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb

by jrok on Aug 10, 2009 11:35 PM EDT reply actions

i don’t care what people say about wlad, he is an elite fighter damn it.

The Dude Abides

by battle axe of doom on Aug 10, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions

he's very very good

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

by Scott Christ on Aug 11, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

That's the problem with the big boys...

Wlad is light years ahead of the field…….and his closest contender is guy he’ll never fight.

Larry Merchant IS God...

by El_Mas_Chingon on Aug 10, 2009 11:37 PM EDT reply actions

I feel differently

I think that Wlad is far and away the best Heavyweight. His style isn’t that of Mike Tyson, sure, but his technical superiority over every other fighter is truly enjoyable. He knows his strengths and uses them to force the other fighter to submit to his will. No one has shown the testicular fortitude to try to get inside and test his chin in his last dozen or so bouts.

by wennington4 on Aug 10, 2009 11:48 PM EDT reply actions