By Ryan Songalia
After reading Cliff Rold's opinion piece "Povetkin-Chambers: A Return to B.A.D Form", the boxing fan in me couldn't help but tingle in anticipation of a pivotal bout between two promising, young heavyweights ala Tua-Ibeabuchi.
Nevermind that it was between Alexander Povetkin, 227, a precocious yet sloppy upstart, and Eddie Chambers, 219, an undersized, underpowered rope-a-dope artist. Set aside also the realization that the winner would most likely be matched with IBF Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko, a tall order primed to snuff any Cinderella aspirations. This showdown was supposed to inaugurate the future of the division.
And if it was, then bah humbug! Ebenezer Scrooge catch phrases aside, what HBO viewers, and those catching internet streams because the future was just too far away for them, witnessed was an entertaining, fast-paced scrap between two Not-Yet-Ready-For-Primetime-Players that failed to create buildup for a world title bid.
Consider the frustration of Chambers' supporters that witnessed a blazing start for the Philadelphian, whose nickname "Fast Eddie" draws references to Paul Newman's classic role as a pool hall hustler. After the fourth round, a stanza in which Chambers outclassed Povetkin with jarring right crosses, the hustle abandoned Chambers as he fell into a pattern of inactivity. After impressing Povetkin's face with a mouse under the left eye and seeming to find success with everything he tried, Chambers allowed "The White Lion" to grab the initiative in virtually every exchange.
Trainer Buddy McGirt continuously urged the American to pick up the pace, yet Chambers was unable or unwilling to heed the call. In the twelfth round, Chambers seemed to concede that he did not want the victory nearly as bad as his opponent did. Chambers appeared content to underachieve, a bad sign most notably exhibited by Dominick Guinn in recent years.
Chambers went to Germany knowing that he couldn't afford to keep the fight close in what amounted to a hometown advantage for Povetkin. That situation never arose, since Chambers didn't do enough to make it close.
American audiences finally got the opportunity to see Povetkin, the 2004 Super Heavyweight Olympic Gold Medalist. A lot had been made of Povetkin, his profile having been raised by wins over faded veterans Chris Byrd and Larry Donald. Regardless of their present states, those are two flashy scalps on an under-20 fight ledger.
Yet it was hard not to be underwhelmed by Povetkin's performance. Povetkin fell behind early as he struggled to keep up with Chambers' faster hands and more creative arsenal. Povetkin outworked Chambers, sometimes by ridiculous margins, over the last seven rounds and clearly deserved the decision. Povetkin exhibited determination, will, and focus that sapped the ambition out of his opponent.
Even still, Povetkin's shortcomings raised serious questions as to how high this shooting star can rise. A porous defense, lack of accurate punching, and average hand speed suggest the limitations of this talented Russian. Never once was I compelled to proclaim "This is the Next Big Thing" as I analyzed Povetkin's every lunge and flurry anticipating something spectacular. Spectacular never showed up.
Both fighters brought fleshy physiques into the ring, and neither had the "look" of a heavyweight champion. It is this logic that many tried to ignore when prematurely anointing James Toney as the next great big man. Something needs to be said of atleast looking the role.
Of course, Povetkin is only 15 fights into his undefeated pro career and Chambers is but 25 years old. Chambers is now 30-1 (16 KO), taking his first L but earning experience in his unprecedented adversity. Povetkin improves to 15-0 (11 KO) and awaits the result of February 23's Klitschko-Sultan Ibragimov unification bout. Both fighters still have time to grow from this experience, but as they stand, neither man is ready for the paramount of the heavyweight mountains. Yet.
While neither David Tua or Ike Ibeabuchi annexed a heavyweight title, on that evening they came together to stir the imaginations of fight fan's eager for a glimpse of Lennox Lewis' impending successors. In Povetkin-Chambers, boxing needed an eye-catching display that evoked excitement in the next generation of heavyweights. An amusing one-night stand in Germany was provided by these young B.A.D asses, but an imminent threat to Wladimir Klitschko was not in action.
Any questions or comments? Send them to me at mc_rson@yahoo.com