By Ryan Burton

BoxingScene.com caught up with former WBC/IBF junior welterweight champion Devon Alexander's trainer and manager, Kevin Cunningham, to talk about his pupil's ten round technical decision loss to Timothy Bradley on Saturday night.  Cunningham also wanted to respond to a story that appeared on BoxingScene that was written by Chris LaBate. Junior welterweight contender Marcos Maidana was quoted in the article as stating that he thought Alexander would be too scared to step in the ring with him. The quotes from Maidana came from his Twitter account.

 

Maidana was last seen in the ring in December when he lost to Amir Khan in a fight that many publications considered to be the "Fight of The Year."  Cunningham read Maidana's comments and wanted to give a response.  He told BoxingScene that his fighter would have no problem facing Maidana. 

"I see Maidana is talking sh*t.  We have no problem fighting him next since he thinks that we are scared.  Bring it on," Cunningham told BoxingScene.com.

 

Cunningham would prefer that Alexander face Bradley in a rematch next, but if that fight doesn't come to fruition then Maidana would suit Team Alexander just fine. Cunningham feels the fight with Bradley isn't completely settled. 

"We have unfinished business with Bradley.  It was a close fight in which neither fighter was able to take total control."

 

Headbutts were a big part of the fight and Cunningham feels that they played a big role in the fight's outcome. The fighters clashed heads on numerous occasions. 

"There were a lot of headbutts man. The first headbutt and then the last one were big.  You could literally hear their heads collide." 

Alexander was noticeably dazed after the last headbutt.

 

Team Alexander's worst fears came true with the numerous headbutts.  Cunningham was quoted on BoxingScene on more than one occasion warning that Bradley tends to lead with his head. 

"I told the ref (Frank Garza) in the locker room that Bradley leads with his head and that his last 5 opponents all suffered cuts from headbutts.  He told me that headbutts can happen to anybody.  At that point I knew what side the ref was on.  What I don't get is with all those headbutts he never even issued a warning.  Not to Devon or to Tim.  He should have at least gave a warning."

 

The former policeman turned trainer revealed to BoxingScene that his fighter should be ready to return to the ring this summer. 

"Devon should be ready to fight again in June or July. Devon had 6 stitches over one eye and 4 over the other.  His nose was also swollen and bruised from a heabutt."

 

Cunningham wanted to make it clear that all of the damage was caused by Bradley's head and not his fists.  He also suggested a new career for Bradley. 

"All of the damage that Devon suffered came from Bradley's head and not his hands.  In boxing you are supposed to inflict damage with your hands and not your head.  Bradley would be better off going to M M A where anything goes unlike in boxing where you are supposed to use your hands.

There has been a lot of talk that Alexander could have continued despite the cuts that were caused by the headbutts.  Cunningham wanted to clear the air on the severity of the cuts. 

"The doctor explained it all in the press conference.  This wasn't just a cut.  You heard him say it.  He had to put two nerves back together before he could sew up the cut.  Devon's eye lid wouldn't stay up.  That was a deep cut."

 

Cunningham finished up our conversation by saying that he was holding Alexander accountable for not taking advantage of his opportunities in the ring. 

"I hold my fighter accountable for not pulling the trigger.  Bradley was coming at him all night and Devon wasn't pulling the trigger.  He threw one uppercut and he hit Bradley right on the button.  He should have used more uppercuts.  Bradley was there to be hit."

 

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