Wladimir Klitschko vs. Eddie Chambers: Round By Round

The ESPIRIT arena in Dusseldorf, Germany is the site for tonight's heavyweight title fight between champion Wladimir Klitschko and challenger Eddie Chambers. A crowd of roughly 51,000 fans is on hand.

"Fast" Eddie Chambers hears some jeers from the fans before his introduction video. He looks fairly calm as he steps in the ring accompanied by a short burst of fireworks.

As you may expect, Klitschko's entrance is a bit more elaborate in front of the adoring Germans. A video is shown of a bunch of his knockouts, and he gets the full light show and pyrotechnics treatment.

Klitschko is 53-3 with 47 knockout victories. His last loss came nearly six years ago when he was KO'ed by Lamon Brewster.

Chambers is 35-1 with 18 KOs. He has won his last five bouts, though the most recent three were all by decision.

The national anthems for both the United States and the Ukraine are played. Michael Buffer does the introductions, and we are set to go a scheduled 12 rounds for Klitschko's IBF and WBO heavyweight titles.

Round One

Chambers bounces on his feet as he circles. Klitschko tries to measure some jabs. Eddie feints but doesn't throw. Wlad connects with a jab through the guard. Klitschko bounces a left hook off Chambers' forearms. Eddie throws a right hand and some of his own jabs. Klitschko comes in and is literally picked up by Chambers. Klitschko connects with a right that is answered in kind by Chambers. Left hook by Eddie right before the bell.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round Two

Eddie tries to swat Wlad's lead hand away so he can jab. Klitschko marches forward and works on penetrating Chambers' guard. The fighters tie up, and Chambers body slams Klitschko to the mat. Eddie sneaks a right hand over the top. He uses some quick taps to the body to stay busy. Chambers throws a right and quickly clinches. Klitschko scores with a big right hand that has Chambers wobbly. Another one lands along the ropes. Eddie has to dig in to make it out of the round.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round Three

We'll see if Chambers was able to shake off that shot. Klitschko pumps his jab to create openings for his straight right. Eddie isn't throwing much right now. The fans chant to try to get Klitschko going. Chambers ducks a jab and lands a left to the body. A counter right connects as well. There's more wrestling with 10 seconds to go. More jabs by Wlad, probably enough to win him the round.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round Four

Klitschko finds the mark early with a right hand, forcing Chambers to try to retaliate. Wlad simply peppers him with jabs to back him off. Eddie has a brief moment with his own right hands. Klitschko throws more jabs with a wicked right behind it. Chambers' corner is begging for more head movement. Eddie attempts some roughhousing on the inside, but he doesn't seem to have many answers right now.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round Five

The fighters trade jabs with Klitschko coming forward. Chambers works on the inside before the ref steps in. Klitschko uses a left hook to set up a straight right. Not much happening in the middle of this frame. Chambers blocks several shots but is not throwing back. He tries a jumping right hand to get something started. Both men swing and miss wildly in the closing seconds.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round Six

Chambers' trainer did his best to try to motivate his fighter to take more chances/ Like so many before him, he can't figure out a way inside Klitschko's jab without getting nailed with a right. Wlad marches forward with consistent jabs, answered only intermittently by Chambers' own. Klitschko tries to mix in a left hook from time to time. Klitschko lands a right with about 10 seconds left.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round Seven

It's tough to imagine Chambers has won even one round on any of the official cards. He's been retreating even when he's been landing punches. The fans clap to try to inspire a flurry from Klitschko. He obliges with three straight rights that more or less land clean. Eddie is covering up but he can't block everything. Chambers' only hope would seem to be one huge punch, but he's not the right boxer to pull that tactic off.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round Eight

Even Klitschko's jabs have plenty of force behind them. Chambers slips a left hook and comes in without success. A left-right combination thuds home for the champ. Wlad works his left hook and Eddie tries to fire back. The announcer wonders if the cumulative effect of even the blocked punches are wearing Chambers out. It's a fair question at this point.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round Nine

Klitschko comes out aggressively to start the round. Emanuel Steward told him Chambers was getting tired. Eddie smacks Wlad with a counter right and ties up. He's leaping in and clinching a lot. Klitschko measures two right hands and has left hooks coming behind them. Chambers throws a series of mostly harmless left hands. Klitschko is patiently waiting for one big shot.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round 10

Eddie has a problem with his right glove, and it needs to be changed before the round can get underway. The delay lasts roughly four minutes, which doesn't make the fans too pleased. Chambers did get a nice rest out of it, and he's bouncing around. Klitschko mostly ignores him and goes back to work. He lands a right as the crowd urges him on. Chambers has to scurry out of the way as Wlad moves in. Wlad teases a big uppercut and keeps stalking. Nothing too exciting in the final minute.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round 11

It's nice to hear Steward asking for more punches even though his man is winning easily. Will Klitschko listen? Chambers is showing some slick defense, for what it's worth at this point. Klitschko attempts to get untracked but is having some trouble. He reaches with two right hands, forcing Chambers back into the corner. A quick exchange breaks out, but this round has been largely short on entertainment value.

Franchise: 10-9 Klitschko

Round 12

Emanuel was very blunt, telling Wlad he doesn't need another decision win. Eddie has three more minutes to survive. Klitschko uses a left hook and a right to try to trap Chambers along the ropes. Neither man looks particularly gassed. A right hand knocks Chambers back and Wlad at least looks to seal the deal. He just misses a big right hand. Eddie ducks and grabs but gets thumped by a left hook. The fans chant with 30 seconds to go. A left hand crumples Chambers with about 12 seconds remaining, and Chambers is face down and not getting up. It took forever, but that was the dramatic finish the fans wanted.

The winner by KO at 2:55 of Round 12... and still IBF and WBO heavyweight titleholder... "Dr. Steelhammer" Wladimir Klitschko.

Klitschko acknowledges the huge crowd by climbing all four corners of the ring to salute the fans. Wlad is interviewed in German first, thanking Dusseldorf for its support.

The champ says he knew it would be a tough fight and a awkward one in which to look good.

Wladimir Klitschko-Eddie Chambers Live Round By Round Updates Today

For anyone wondering if it was possible for you to view today's heavyweight title match between Wladimir Klitschko and Eddie Chambers, the answer is... yes you can. Just head to www.klitschko.com and indicate your willingness to part with $14.95 of your hard-earned money.

If that option isn't available to you, allow us to present another. Bookmark our home page and return here later today. Starting at around 4 pm Eastern, I'll be doing a live blog of undercard action. And shortly after 6 pm Eastern, I'll have a live round by round post of the showdown that may very well draw a crowd of 51,000-plus fans.

And yes, I'm well aware there is a basketball tournament going on in the U.S. that is taking up a lot of your time and attention. Surely you can set aside just a little time for the sweet science this afternoon, right?

Thought so. See you later today.

Posted by The Franchise

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Eddie Chambers: Predictions

The Franchise says...

Man, I really want to see Eddie Chambers win a world title. He was born in Pittsburgh and fights out of Philly, and it's hard to get any closer to the BoxingWatchers' hearts than that (unless he was also part Filipino, perhaps!).

That said, I just can't pick him to beat Wladimir Klitschko. I agree with the consensus opinion of many other observers, which is that Chambers can really box for a big guy... but maybe not quite as well as Klitschko.

In power it's no contest, with Eddie knocking out about 50 percent of his opponents and Wlad close to 84 percent. Then there's the size difference between the two men, which was very apparent at yesterday's weigh-in.

Freddie Roach is fond of saying that it's skill and not size that wins fights, but with all other things being equal - and that's not the case here, but humor me - it sure helps the bigger guy. If Chambers can't out-point Klitschko from the outside, and he dare not fight him toe-to-toe, then... what exactly?

I feel pretty confident Chambers will give a game effort, and he may give Wlad a tougher time in the early going than we have grown accustomed to seeing over the last few years. But all of the champ's advantages will show the longer the fight goes, and that's bad news for Fast Eddie.

Since I can't logically figure out a way for Chambers to win, I have no choice but to pick Klitschko by either unanimous decision or very late (11th or 12th round) TKO.

Uatu says...
I am not picking against Wlad until at least 2013.
Klitschko by unanimous decision.

Posted by The Franchise

Twenty-Twenty Hindsight: Chambers is No Byrd and the Likely Klitschko-Povetkin Outcome

Not having seen Eddie Chambers fight before this Saturday, I was intrigued to see him go up against Alexander Povetkin. The announcers made it sound like Povetkin had the edge because of his extensive amateur background and the tougher competition he had faced thus far in his pro career.

Early on though, it looked like Chambers was the slicker boxer, showing good movement, an ability to deliver quick and accurate counter shots and good defensive technique that allowed him block a majority of Povetkin's punches. Povetkin's strategy was to keep up a high volume and keep coming forward behind combinations all night, and while it didn't work that well for the first few rounds, it proved to be too much for Chambers in the long run.

I'm not sure if Chambers just couldn't figure out how to beat Povetkin to the punch or, as the announcer suggested, he tasted some power shots from Povetkin and decided he just couldn't get hit. Regardless, he looked like a boxer who did not have a Plan B in case his Plan A failed.

A lot of people are drawing similarities between Chambers and Chris Byrd, but I'm not so sure I see them. Both men would rather counter-punch than push the action and both are smallish heavyweights. That's about it. They fight from different stances, and while Chambers showed some good 'D' by blocking punches with his guard up, Byrd in his prime was a true defensive wizard who was adept and blocking, slipping and just plain evading leather thrown his way. I know when I saw Byrd fight Evander Holyfield back in 2002, he pulled off some ridiculous moves that left Evander swinging at thin air. Nothing like that jumped out at me from Chambers Saturday night.

Assuming that Wladimir Klitschko gets past Sultan Ibragimov next month - and I think that's a safe assumption - a lot of people are already talking about Povetkin getting the next shot at Wlad. After what I saw this weekend, he's also going to need a Plan B, or else Klitschko is going to knock him out. Wlad is just an all-around better boxer than Chambers at this point, and if he figures out how to land some counter shots, they will hurt.

Round by Round: Povetkin Vs. Chambers

We're not quite live on HBO's Boxing After Dark for a heavyweight showdown. First up though, a replay of last week's Roy Jones-Felix Trinidad fight. Since I didn't see it live, here are my quick impressions: neither man looked horrible, but neither looked great either. Roy just looked too fast on offense and too big for Tito's punches to have enough effect. Both guys look like they can keep fighting. I still like Joe Calzaghe over Jones if they do meet up in the near future, and I thought it was interesting hearing the announcers speculate that Trinidad may face Oscar De La Hoya again down the road. Max Kellerman says they can hold onto that card and play it later, as their names would sell the fight regardless of what happens in the meantime.

More from Kellerman on Jones-Trinidad: he thinks last week's fight may have been a pretty good indication of what would have happened if they fought in their primes. Also he thinks De La Hoya at a catch-weight may make more sense for Jones than Calzaghe, Kelly Pavlik, etc. Lennox Lewis likes Povetkin in tonight's fight thanks to his amateur background and better pro competition.

Very dramatic opening with Michael Buffer introducing the White Lion, Alexander Povetkin. Scantily clad goose-stepping girls wave flags for Povetkin as he walks out through a hallway that looks like it came from a video game. I'm not making this up. Eddie Chambers comes out to "Good Life" by Kanye West. Buffer always does a nice job learning his foreign languages, by the way.

Rd. 1

Povetkin opens with some jabs. He finds the range with both hands early. Now Chambers scores with a right and a left upstairs. Povetkin works the body, backing Chambers up. Povetkin throwing more but Chambers is pretty good on defense. Chambers lands to the body right before the bell.

Franchise: 10-9 Chambers
Uatu: 10-9 Povetkin

Rd. 2

Super polite fans; you can hear individual voices. Povetkin is much busier early but Chambers' gloves catches most of them. Counter lefts are scoring by Chambers, but not very often. Povetkin finally slips a few through upstairs. Lennoz thinks Eddie should be busier. Chambers good right hand. Nice exchange right before the bell. Mouse starting to form under Povetkin's left eye.

Franchise: 10-9 Chambers
Uatu: 10-9 Chambers

Rd. 3

Povetkin opens with his best combos so far. Left by Chambers and Povetkin scores in return. Both men score on counter shots. Good right hand upstairs by Chambers. Another right just glances off by Eddie. Povetkin working the body but not all scoring.

Franchise: 10-9 Povetkin
Uatu: 10-9 Chambers

Rd. 4

Another mean counter right by Chambers. Jabs by Eddie and Povetkin's return fire is once again mostly blocked. Good right by Povetkin knocks Eddie off balance. Double lefts by Chambers; Povetkin is starting to fidn the range now too. Good left by Eddie but he can't capitalize with any follow-up shots. Very close round.

Franchise: 10-9 Povetkin
Uatu: 10-9 Chambers

Rd. 5

Chambers starts this round with a little more urgency. Lewis wants more jabs. Povetkin tries to trap Chambers on the ropes, but no dice. Two quick counter lefts land from Chambers. Body work by Chambers in the middle of the ring. Povetkin finds the range with lefts downstairs and up. The jab is working for Eddie, especially this round. Both men just miss with big shots at the bell.

Franchise: 10-9 Chambers
Uatu: 10-9 Povetkin

Rd. 6

Povetkin controls the opening seconds, still throwing in volume. Ref tells Eddie to keep them up. Chambers finally starts scoring about halfway through the round. More of Povetkin's combo shots are getting through now. Good right hook by Povetkin. Chambers just not busy enough, and Povetkin has found a few chinks in the armor. Good right at the bell by Eddie but that was Povetkin's best round so far.

Franchise: 10-9 Povetkin
Uatu: 10-9 Povetkin

Rd. 7

Povetkin just misses with a huge right. Volume still heavily favoring Alexander. Nice right at the end of a combo; Chambers seems unhurt. Now Chambers finds the target with a few lefts. Pretty uneventful round with Povetkin looking a little tired and Chambers still not throwing enough.

Franchise: 10-9 Povetkin
Uatu: 10-9 Povetkin

Rd. 8

Povetkin changing heights but Chambers finally trying to answer. Uppercut inside by Chambers but Povetkin answers. Lewis thinks Povetkin has to be careful about punching himself out. The uppercut is starting to become an option for Chambers. Both guys get hit by a shot at the end of the round.

Franchise: 10-9 Povetkin
Uatu: 10-9 Chambers

Rd. 9

Povetkin seems to have lost some starch on his punches; Chambers lands a right hand. Quick 1-2 by Eddie. Inside combo mostly lands by Chambers. Eddie trying to come forward a little more, but Povetkin still making it almost impossible to get off first. A couple more light shots by Chambers to end the round. That was another tough round to score.

Franchise: 10-9 Chambers
Uatu: 10-9 Chambers

Rd. 10

Close range exchange which hasn't happened often tonight. Also some holding. Povetkin's work rate seems to be carrying this round as well. Uppercut by Chambers but nothing else behind it. Good combo by Povetkin and a couple land. Hook inside by Chambers; Povetkin closes out the round strong though.

Franchise: 10-9 Povetkin
Uatu: 10-9 Povetkin

Rd. 11

Chambers' corner tells him he needs a KO now. He isn't exactly throwing caution to the wind though. Combo from Povetkin with a little more behind it now. Body work by Povetkin and a right upstairs snaps Chambers back. Crowd giving Povetkin more energy now. It's admirable, but Povetkin is probably taking more chances than he needs to at this point. He's fighting like the guy who thinks he needs these last rounds.

Franchise: 10-9 Povetkin
Uatu: 10-9 Povetkin

Rd. 12

Alexander looks really winded but all he has to do is hold on and I think he's got it. Chambers missing the counter shots he would have landed earlier. Povetkin still working. He goes to town along the ropes, spurred on by the crowd. It's three-shot combos and back out for Povetkin, and Chambers has no answer.

Franchise: 10-9 Povetkin
Uatu: 10-9 Povetkin

Franchise scores it 116-112 Povetkin, Uatu scores it 115-113 Povetkin. The judges score it 117-111, 116-112 and 119-109, all for the winner, Alexander Povetkin.