Chambers and Povetkin fight to see who will be next big heavyweight

BERLIN (AP) Some call Saturday's fight between Eddie Chambers and Alexander Povetkin a test of the American and Russian schools of boxing.
The 25-year-old Chambers grew up in Pittsburgh in the kind of rough neighborhood that produced many great American heavyweight champions. Povetkin, three years older, was well schooled in the Russian amateur system and won Olympic gold in Athens.
But Chambers plays that angle down, calling it a matchup between the two best young heavyweights. The winner earns a title shot against IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko, assuming he gets by WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov in their unification fight next month.
''The winner has a chance to become the next big thing in the heavyweight division,'' Chambers said. ''It would be great for the American public for me to become champion, but I have to win first of all for myself, my family and my team.''
Both won IBF elimination bouts against older fighters to set up this meeting. Chambers won a decision over Calvin Brock and Povetkin stopped Chris Byrd.
''When was the last time you saw the new generation instead of the same old guys fight each other, really step up?'' said Eddie Chambers Sr., the American's trainer and father.
Chambers (30-0, 16 KOs) will face a hostile crowd Saturday when he tries to take a big step toward delivering American fans a heavyweight crown again. Boxers from the former Soviet Union currently own all four titles.
That hasn't dented his confidence.
''My chances are great,'' Chambers said. ''That's why we've decided to take him on on his home turf.''
The fight may be in Germany, but Povetkin's camp expects at least 3,000 Russians ringside. Their fighter, who also claimed world championship gold, is very popular back home and once worked out with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Chambers comes from a more humble background. He took up boxing because he was taunted for being unable to afford trendy clothes, and his father dragged the 14-year-old into the gym to learn to fight.
His camp isn't impressed by Povetkin's laurels.
''He has a lot of experience as an amateur,'' Chambers Sr. said. ''Know what? We're pros.''
Povetkin (14-0, 11 KOs) impressed many by stopping respected former IBF and WBO champion Chris Byrd in the 11th round.
Some say the speedy Chambers is a similar fighter, but Povetkin's longtime coach has a different reason for faith in his fighter.
''He is Russian. I believe in his Russian soul, his Russian male heart,'' Valery Belov said.
Povetkin spurns publicity, but could feel some pressure to please the fans back home. His camp expects a lot of Russians to stay up late for the fight, which will be broadcast to 44 countries.
''I'm just happy to make this fight and I hope not to disappoint the fans,'' Povetkin said.
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. In the interest of timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain occasional typographical errors. )