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 down that angle, calling it a matchup of the best young heavyweights. The winner earns a title shot against International Boxing Federation champion Wladimir Klitschko, assuming he gets past World Boxing Organization 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 fighter's father and trainer.

Chambers (30-0, 16 knockouts), now based in Philadelphia, will face a hostile crowd tonight when he tries to take a big step toward delivering American fans a heavyweight crown again. Boxers from the former Soviet Union 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.

Povetkin (14-0, 11 KOs) impressed many by stopping respected former IBF and WBO champion 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.