On February 25th, two light welterweight contenders are set to clash in Saint Louis, Missouri in a 10-round welterweight showdown. While both fighters have shown prominence in the light welterweight division, Marcos Maidana and Devon Alexander will take another stab at the 147 lb landscape. During each of their careers they have fluctuated between 140 and 150 with more focus on the earlier so the welterweight limit could equate to some intriguing dynamics
The headlining label is ?Thunder and Lightning?, which may be the most appropriate association for a matchup so far this year. Argentina?s Marcos Maidana (31-2, 28 KOs) will go toe-to-toe with the hometown star Devon Alexander (22-1, 13 KOs) in St. Louis. With an undercard filled with tremendous young talent, this matchup could bring the standard to a supernatural level.
The classic boxer-puncher clash will be in full effect and quite possibly showcased in its most extreme degree this Saturday at the Scottrade Center. Alexander, who is known for his quickness and accuracy, is most accustomed to hearing the final bell while Maidana has had the scorecards read to him only five times in his career. Expected tactics going into this bout could not be anymore diverse with a point-seeking speedster and a headhunting brawler.
Saturday?s bout presents two of the most dissimilar combatants in a fight that will catapult the victor into huge upcoming fights and could stain the loser?s resume for any future opportunities. This is, quite possibly, the best fight that either fighter could hope for because of their individual unfortunate history. Both contending hopefuls are coming off of recent defeats to some of the division?s big names in Timothy Bradley, Amir Khan, and Andriy Kotelnyk so Saturday will be a form of redemption and possible reemergence.
The anticipated battle between Marcos Maidana and Devon Alexander will not be about who is stronger or who is quicker but it will showcase whose department will narrate the fight. The welterweight bout will discover whether speed can zoom past power or if strength can raze fundamental accuracy and swiftness.
SPEED: ALEXANDER
While there is no doubt that he holds more quickness and speed, Alexander?s advantage has also caused problems in other areas. Alexander?s work rate will clearly overshadow Maidana?s bombs but with this increase in activity comes great danger. According to Compubox, in Alexander?s bout against the similar Lucas Matthysse, Matthysse landed 40% of his power punches, which could be harmonious music to Maidana?s keen ears. Plain and simple, if Alexander can suppress any damaging blows and stay on his feet, he will win this fight.
POWER: MAIDANA
Three. Only three of Maidana?s thirty-one victories were determined by the scorecards. With two questionable losses, the Argentinean remains one of the most feared punchers currently in the sport. With tremendous knockouts and a typical knockdown or two before the final blow, Maidana?s bricklike fists could provide problems for Alexander much like the predicament that fellow Argentinean Lucas Matthysee provided for the hometown kid. Unlike some knockout artists, Maidana attaches power to both hands with a looping left or bomb of a right hand. Fans know not to blink when Marcos Maidana is in the ring.
DEFENSE: MAIDANA
Alexander is quicker, more elusive, and has superior footwork compared to the Argentinean but Maidana?s unorthodox style presents his offense as his defense. Maidana takes monstrous shots in his ruthless exchanges but, even if wobbled, continues to press the action. Alexander?s movement is an effective defense mechanism but Maidana?s style of defense, or lack of defense, ironically will provide less damage for Maidana.
EXTRAS: ALEXANDER
Both fighters have been featured in 12-round bouts in the recent part of their careers so changing it to 10 rounds will present an interesting dynamic to the fight. The overall setting and fight detail favors the hometown hero. Alexander will have less time to endure the potentially fight-ending punches from Maidana, which will benefit his survival tactics. Luckily, Alexander has been very fortunate in fights near his hometown after achieving questionable victories over Andriy Kotelnyk and Lucas Matthysse; Saturday may be no different.
VERDICT
Alexander?s good fortune on the scorecards could and will likely continue Saturday but against a devastating puncher like Maidana, the possibility of hearing the inflated scores is decently slim. Alexander may deflect and counterpunch effectively but Maidana may catch him on a left hook or right uppercut to end the night.
BOTTOM LINE: MAIDANA WINS BY TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT 7TH ROUND
