By Chris LaBate - Family Arena, St. Charles, MO. - In a very important junior welterweight bout, Devon Alexander (22-1, 13KOs) won a close ten round split decision over Lucas Matthysse (28-2, 26KOs). The scores were 96-93 for Alexander, 96-93 for Matthysse, and 95-94 for Alexander.
The first three rounds were close. Alexander was using quick punches and rapid movement, while Matthysse pressed the action and was looking to land big combinations. At the start of the fouth round, Alexander was dropped for the first time in his career from a counter hook. He seemed to have a clear head once he got up and went back to boxing Matthysse for the rest of the round.
Alexander came back in the fifth with a close boxing workrate. Matthysse was busy as well and stayed on pace with Alexander. After Alexander boxed very well in the sixth, Matthysee came back in the seventh to batter Alexander with good punches to the head and body. In the eight, Matthysse continued to punish Alexander with punches to the head and body. Alexander seemed to be very tired and unable to get off as Matthysse was able to land his shots on a more consistent basis. Alexander, possibly saving some energy, was standing and trading but not getting the better of those exchanges.
