Heavyweight Future Lies With Two Smaller Men

The near future of the heavyweight division still seems to rest with the Klitschko brothers Wladimir and Vitali. However, we've recently seen a glimmer of hope in smaller fighters Eddie Chambers and Alexander Povetkin. Eddie Chambers is 6'1 and fights at a weight of around 220 pounds. In his last fight, Chambers beat the previously undefeated 6'7, 253 pound Alexander Dimitrenko. Chambers only weighed a minuscule 208 pounds for that fight and still won a clear decision. Povetkin stands 6'2 and weighs around 225 pounds for most of his fights. Povetkin's most recent victory came against 240 pound Jason Estrada.

When you compare Povetkin and Chambers to the massive Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko (both stand around 6'7 and weigh over 240 pounds) it seems like they are in the wrong weight division. Somehow, despite their size, both Povetkin and Chambers have succeeded with only one loss between them despite solid competition. Their only loss was when they faced each other and Chambers lost a decision to Povetkin. In fact, they've consistently beaten guys bigger than them and in most cases significantly bigger. It reminds me of when Chris Byrd was fighting at heavyweight during the start of the Klitschko era.

These smaller heavyweights have managed to succeed with there speed, solid fight tactics and preparation. I always hoped the heavyweight division wouldn't become a 6'7 250 pound minimum weight division. It seems that will not happen but lets see how things shape up over the next few years. I'm actually interested to see if Povetkin and Chambers can grow in the division and eventually challenge the Klitschkos. If nothing else, it generates a little bit of interest in a slumping division.