Moments ago trainer Kevin Cunningham confirmed that he and his charge, IBF and WBC Jr. Welterweight champion Devon Alexander, have landed in Las Vegas to begin preparation for their August 7th bout with former champion Andriy Kotelnik at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
The tandem trained at Barry?s Boxing on the East Side of town for their March bout with Juan Urango. The preparation was intense and Alexander?s performance was a rousing success as he stopped the brutal punching Columbian in the 8th round. Team Alexander has been vocal about facing WBO champion Timothy Bradley but it is a contest that doesn?t seem feasible at the moment at they have instead settled for Kotelnik.
Last week in St. Louis things got heated between the two camps during the kickoff press conference for the event. Cunningham told Kotelink, who Ukrainian while now residing in Germany and will be making the trek to America for the bout, that it was ?a long way to come for an ass whuppin?. Obviously riled by Cunningham?s statements, Kotelink fired back with some venom of his own.
?They say it?s a long way to come for an ass kicking, but I have a question for Devon Alexander after his people have made all these boasts,? Kotelnik said. ?Will Devon come back and fight me in a rematch in the Ukraine after I kick his ass?’.
Kotelink sports a 31-3 record with 13 knockouts. He lost his last fight to Amir Khan by decision in in July of 2009 and one fight prior he edged Marcos Maidana by split decision. Kotelnik is no pushover and while Alexander concedes as much he feels that it is his time to shine.
?Kotelnik is a good, solid fighter. But I?m a better fighter. His time has come and gone. He was a champion but he?s not anymore, and he?s certainly not going to be champion after this fight.?
For more images of Alexander, Cunningham, Kotelink, Don King, and others from last week?s press conference please check out the slideshow below?
