By Cliff Rold
With his fifteenth professional fight now behind him, 28-year old 2004 Olympic Super Heavyweight Gold Medalist Alexander Povetkin (15-0, 11) of Russia looks like, well, like a fighter with fifteen professional fights. In a bout that met existing expectations that it could become a long, measured chess match, Povetkin pulled away in the second half of the bout to cement a victory over 25-year old Eddie Chambers (30-1, 16 KO) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It was not a particularly thrilling affair but did offer its strategic intrigues. As the rounds unfolded, the questions that emerged (would Povetkin get past the tight guard of Chambers? Would Chambers continue to slice at Povetkin with the right?) were answered in satisfactory and unsatisfactory fashion. If viewed as a test for each man, on Saturday night both Povetkin and Chambers need not worry about an imminent valedictory speech.
Let’s go the report card.
Speed: In the pre-fight report card, it read that “Speed alone isn’t much of an advantage for either man. The tactical application of the speed they have will make all the difference.” That turned out to be mostly true. Through the first eight rounds, particularly the second round to the fifth, Chambers used his advantage in speed well with slashing straight rights and uppercuts along with well timed use of the jab. Povetkin looked frustrated and his corner incensed through the second third of the bout based on Chambers effectiveness. Then it stopped. Povetkin stepped up the use of his own better than average speed to throw flurries and keep Chambers in a shell down the stretch. He wasn’t landing much, but Povetkin threw so many more that the sparing shots from Chambers just couldn’t rate.
Pre-Fight Grade: Povetkin B+; Chambers A
Post-Fight Grade: Same
Power: Povetkin hits harder than Chambers. That was known before the bout and remains true now. Evidence of that power gap was never witnessed in this bout based on a single shot, but one can wonder if Povetkin’s perceived power was a factor in Chambers late-rounds inactivity. That wonder can be tempered by also pondering if Chambers was just tired. Nothing occurred in Povetkin-Chambers to subtract or enhance perceptions about how hard either man hits. Chambers landed the best clean shots of the night and Povetkin kept coming; Povetkin never really landed what could have been a knockout blow so previous results remain the best gauge of what dynamite he might carry. Power was not an issue on Saturday night.
Pre-Fight Grade: Povetkin B+; Chambers C
Post-Fight Grade: Same
Defense: At the end of twelve rounds, Povetkin’s left eye was purple and his right was swelling. It wasn’t a Willie Pep type defensive night for the favorite. His lingering problem of pulling his foot and squaring up in front of foes after throwing his right hand continues. Against a fighter with more thunder than Chambers it could cost him greatly. Chambers was quite good defensively, using his gloves and arms to absorb incoming fire for most of the night with some noticeable fatigue, and subsequent landing blows from Povetkin, late in the fight. Unfortunately for him, Chambers was too defensive to win the fight.
Pre-Fight Grade: Povetkin B; Chambers B+
Post-Fight Grade: Povetkin B-; Chambers B+
Intangibles: In order to have a chance to win, Chambers had to be willing to move his hands late in the fight. It was assumed and proved true that he couldn’t expect the benefit of the doubt on the score cards. Still, in the biggest fight of his career, Chambers seemed content to finish the rounds in contrast to going for broke to win them. Povetkin did what he could, biting down and throwing at whatever he could hit, looking for the sparse occasions when a telling blow might present itself to be landed. Each man showed visible frustration at separate points, but it was Povetkin who fought through it more effectively. Nothing happened Saturday that suggests Chambers is lacking in terms of character or guts, but perhaps we got an idea of his will to win. It’s still too early to assess much value to either man as regards their chin or ability to thrive in a war, but enough could be gleaned to award a grade at least for the night.
Pre-Fight Grade: Incomplete
Post-Fight Grade: Povetkin B; Chamber C+
Overall Post-Fight Report Card: Povetkin B; Chambers B-
So, no, it was not a scintillating affair but it was an important one and now Team Povetkin must decide what to do with their now-earned IBF mandatory assignment against Wladimir Klitscko (49-3, 44 KO). Here is one man’s suggestion:
Do nothing.
As stated at the top, Povetkin is a veteran of fifteen fights, for better and worse. If he sits on his mandatory through 2008, it could be that an IBF mandatory could turn into a shot at two, maybe even three, title belts if Klitschko continues seeking unification bouts. More importantly for Povetkin, it would allow for some needed activity and extra experience.
The positive buzz about Povetkin coming into the Chambers bout may wane in light of this less than nuclear HBO debut but that does not mean he won’t eventually live up to the hype. In this early stage of his career, the Russian has stared down two of the most difficult fighters in the division (his last bout was Chris Byrd) style-wise and left with victories. He can’t help but learn from those bouts.
Now he needs to learn to deal with men of greater size because that’s the challenge Klitschko presents. With veterans like Jameel McCline and Andrew Golota floating around, Povetkin could continue to be groomed for the day when he can make his best possible run at becoming a champion.
Fighting Klitschko right away would likely leave him only with hopes to be a spunky challenger.
Extra Grade: Now that the fighters have been assigned their report cards, I’d be remiss not to assign a big, meaty “F” to judge Alejandro Lopez and his absurd 119-109 score card. No way did Chambers win only one round on the night and Lopez should be scrutinized for this poor professional scorecard.
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com