By Jake Donovan

HBO’s Boxing After Dark heads back to the Show Me state, where all four fighters on the telecast plan to show the industry why each claim to be the best in their given weight class. In store for your Saturday evening viewing pleasure is a televised doubleheader live from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO.

Headlining the show is hometown favorite Devon Alexander (22-1, 13KO), who debuts at welterweight as he continues to rebuild from a 140 lb. title reign that ended last year. Awaiting him is dangerous Argentine power puncher Marcos Maidana (31-2, 28KO), who currently holds an interim alphabet belt but moves up in weight for their 10-round bout.

The co-feature attraction pits a pair of unbeaten young stars, as 22-year old Adrien Broner (22-0, 18KO) makes the first defense of his 130 lb. belt against Eloy Perez (23-0-2, 7KO), three years the champion’s senior but very much so in the prime of his career.

Read on to see how the Boxingscene.com staff believes it will all go down.

PREDICTIONS – ALEXANDER vs. MAIDANA

“I think Alexander and Maidana will both be more comfortable at 147. One of the keys to the fight is that it is only 10 rounds. Maidana gets started late and I expect Devon to start piling up points early and win with a 97-93, 96-94 type of score.”

– Ryan Burton

“It feels like we’ve heard this song before – Alexander in a high-profile hometown showcase against a tough-as-nails veteran. The pride of St. Louis barely survived against Andriy Kotelnik and Lucas Matthysse, arguably losing both but also finding different ways to avoid disaster. My hunch is that he scores the hat trick, sprinting out an early start and fending off a late Maidana rally to score a decision, one that is well-earned but still disputed by conspiracy theorists (and Maidana himself).”

– Jake Donovan

“Maidana TKO8. I think he will make the transition to 147 better and his power carries. He may be down in the fight when it happens.”

– Ernest Gabion

“In a 12-round fight, I would favor Maidana's unadulterated aggression and ability to mentally break opponents by willingly taking one punch to throw two.  But a 10-rounder on home soil would favor Alexander, who has pulled out close decisions in St. Louis before against Lucas Matthysse and Andreas Kotelnik, the latter of which occurred at the same venue as Saturday's bout, the Scottrade Center.  I like Alexander to compile enough rounds early to withstand a late charge from Maidana.  Alexander MD10 Maidana.”

– Ryan Maquinana

“Maidana TKO10 Alexander: This is Devon's make or break moment.  In his last three fights, he's struggled to figure out who he is.  Maidana makes everyone tell the truth on that question.  Either Alexander wins this going away or he gets broken.  I vote for the latter as he has to have doubt creeping in.  He won't have the trouble finding Maidana he has had in previous fights.  The problem will be when Maidana keeps coming.”

– Cliff Rold

“Alexander by UD - This fight being a 10 rounder benefits Alexander as he'll be very active and busy early but Maidana will begin closing the gap. Maidana will run out of time but not before he tests Alexander's chin and will. Alexander by narrow Unanimous Decision.”

– Luis Sandoval

Total picks: Devon Alexander 4, Marcos Maidana 2

PREDICTIONS – BRONER vs. PEREZ

“I think if Eloy Perez can survive the first two rounds he will give Adrien Broner hell by applying smart pressure and moving in and out. Can Perez get a decision against a Midwest based fighter in St. Louis? I think Perez pulls out a SD.”

– Ryan Burton

“Perez is saying all of the right things, uncharacteristic of the normally mild-mannered promising West Coast contender. A victory is not at all a stretch, but would require him to make the fight as ugly as possible. It says here that the proud Mexican-American doesn’t have it in him to go that route, nor will Broner settle for another stinker in a career hotly on the rise. Look for an entertaining firefight early, and for Broner to survive a brief scare to take over and stop Perez on his feet.”

– Jake Donovan

“Perez TKO8. I think his style fits the mold of someone who can give Broner fits and it shows after Broner stakes an early lead.”

– Ernest Gabion

“Broner has looked like an offensive juggernaut in early-round stoppages against Jason Litzau and Vicente Rodriguez, putting his punches together beautifully and in rapid succession. However, if the smaller Perez can make Broner respect his short counter left hook and left jab, he could take the fight past the sixth round--a place where "The Problem" has only been once before in a shaky decision win over Daniel Ponce de Leon. Perez SD12 Broner.”

– Ryan Maquinana

“Broner UD12 Perez: If Perez were a big puncher, I'd favor him.  He's not.  Broner has a ton of talent and almost as much attitude.  It's enough to stay a step ahead for most of the night with some really good action in spots after building an early lead.”

– Cliff Rold

“Broner by UD - I believe this fight will come down to Perez's chin and I think it gets tested very early on as he gets a taste of Broner's speed and power. But Perez will weather the storm and give Broner all he can handle in a fight that forces Broner to answer a lot of questions. Broner by UD in a fight most feel Perez could've gotten the nod. “

– Luis Sandoval

Total picks: Adrien Broner 3, Eloy Perez 3

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com