Chambers has opportunity to make statement in Germany

The fact that a brawling Mexican-American from the L.A. area has emerged as a likely opponent for one of the Klitschko brothers might seem to indicate that he’s the top American heavyweight at the moment. Eddie Chambers doesn’t buy that.

“A lot of people say the best U.S. hope among heavyweights is Chris Arreola. I disagree. I say it’s me," he told the Philadelphia Daily News.

Chambers will have a chance to back up his words when he faces 6-foot-7 Alexander Dimitrenko of Ukraine in a WBO title elimination fight Saturday in Hamburg, Germany.

The once-beaten Philadelphia fighter, who is only 6-1 but skillful and athletic, is coming off his most-important victory – a decision over former titleholder Sam Peter in March – but has yet to prove he can be an elite performer.

He beat a flat Peter by outboxing him but was criticized afterward for fighting too carefully and not attempting to score a knockout. This is the rule, not the exception for Chambers, 27. He typically does enough to win but doesn’t stir the crowd.

And his only loss came the last time he went into the hostile territory of a Germany-based Eastern European, against Alexander Povetkin in January of last year. Chambers had his moments in that fight but was clearly outworked and lost a one-sided decision.

Chambers’ promoter, Dan Goossen, is counting on a different result on Saturday against the capable, but less-experienced Dimitrenko.

“This is his shot,” Goossen said. “There’s something about experience that allows you to become bigger and better. I believe Eddie when he says he’s going to knock this guy out. I know what he’s capable of doing. I’ve seen him put his punches together; he’s very accurate, very fast.

“The problem has been that he hasn’t done it enough in the past. I’m confident, though. I believe he’s going to stop this guy.”

Chambers (34-1, 18 knockouts) weighed less than 210 in the past few weeks, perhaps an indication that he has worked particularly hard for this fight. He hasn’t weighed 210 or less since 2005 and was a chubby 223 against Peter.

Dimitrenko (29-0, 19 KOs) fights at around 250-plus.

“I think that’s a big plus for us,” Goossen said. “A lot of the smaller heavyweights think they have to weigh more to be better. Quite frankly, that doesn’t work. You’re giving away your advantages by being heavier.”

Chambers’ advantages will be his speed and boxing ability. However, he’ll have to be more active than he was against Povetkin and punch with more conviction than he did against Peter to have a big night.

Then he could make a strong case that he’s the top heavyweight in the U.S.

Michael Rosenthal can be reached at RingTVeditor@yahoo.com