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Philippines, 02 May 2024 |
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DEVON ALEXANDER?S TREACHEROUS ROAD TO REDEMPTION By Greg R. Penilla, M.D. PhilBoxing.com Sun, 26 Jun 2011  St. Charles, MO. -- A somewhat subdued crowd gathered around the makeshift stage erected in the middle of the historic cobblestoned Main Street of St. Charles, Missouri, a short distance where the mighty Mississippi meets the Missouri River. The usually eloquent Don King was at his best trying to fire up the gathering of mostly Ryan Coyne?s friends and relatives. When Devon Alexander (21 - 1, 13 KO) walked up the stage appearing confident in his customary quiet demeanor, he was greeted with a smattering of applause. He looked in great shape at 139 pounds and seemed more than ready to fight. Which Devon Alexander is going to show up tonight? The Devon Alexander who displayed a lot of promise with impressive consecutive knock out wins against Fernandez, Rodriguez, Witter and Urango or the Devon Alexander who barely survived a unanimous decision win against the veteran Kotelnik or the Devon Alexander who was overwhelmed and possibly quit against Timothy Bradley. Lucas Matthysse (28-1, 26 KO), a tough hard puncher from Argentina whose wins came by knock out 92 % of the time, would present a difficult challenge to Alexander. His road to redemption is littered with dangerous turns and hard punches from a determined opponent. It would also be defined by not only winning but also how he would win. A controversial unanimous decision just like his win against Kotelnik may not be enough to once again propel Alexander among the elite within the junior welterweight class. A convincing win by Alexander will bring him back and be considered for high profile fights with the Khans, Judahs, Maidanas and the Bradleys of the division.. A loss by Devon will surely take away from him the big money fights that are available in the talent heavy welterweight division. Then he has to rebuild and claw his way back to the top. Kevin Cunningham said it best, ?Basically, Devon?s fighting for his career. He?s fighting to stay on top and he?s battling to stay there. You can?t have two losses in a row?. His athletic ability and hand speed can definitely overwhelm the slow footed and plodding Argentinean. But he has to be very careful to evade Matthysse?s powerful right. However, knowing that he is fighting in an unfriendly territory and a win by decision would be difficult, just as Kotelnik claimed being a victim of home cooking; Matthysse will go all out and try to win via a knock out. Such a move could prove advantageous for the faster and more athletic Alexander. Alexander could have easily chosen to engage with a lesser fighter for a trouble free confidence building win. But Cunningham, a great trainer and father figure believes that Devon is one of the best 140 pounders in the world and should be fighting the other best 140 pounders. It will be an interesting fight, that a win or a loss by either fighter would have untold negative or positive ramifications for either Matthysse or Alexander. At the end, if the fight goes the distance, it will be an Alexander win. A stoppage would favor a Matthysse win. A resounding win by Alexander could even make him a possible future opponent for the pound for pound king, Manny Pacquiao and a huge payday that comes with it. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Greg R. Penilla, M.D..  |
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