Alexander is Prepared For Maidana's Pressured Attacks

On the most recent edition of The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene.com's official audio show, we welcomed former unified junior welterweight champion Devon Alexander.  The St. Louis native is putting the finishing touches on his training camp for his HBO televised showdown that takes place on February 25th.

Both fighters will be making their debut in the welterweight division.  Alexander revealed that he has extended his training camp so that he will carry his power up with him.

"We are making a transition from 140 to 147. We started strength training about three and a half months ago to get ready for the power I will be dealing with and to make sure I have that pop at 147. We are increasing my endurance so we can go strong each round. You aren't going to see me losing energy like before," said Alexander.

Alexander burst on to the scene in his HBO debut in which he scored an emphatic knockout of then IBF junior welterweight champion Juan Urango.  Maidana has some similarities to Urango but is a more relentless fighter.  In his last fight, Alexander struggled with Lucas Matthysse.  The Argentinean was effective boxing and countering Alexander and caught him with many flush shots.  Alexander expects Maidana to come straight at him when they meet in the ring.

"I think Maidana will move forward more than Matthysse did. I made that fight tough for me. No excuses though. It will be an excellent fight.  I can tell you that," stated Alexander.  "He (Maidana) has a similar style to Urango.  He is a straight forward type of guy. Urango was a little hesitant but Maidana won't be. I will be prepared to go the full 10 rounds," he continued.

Alexander feels that 2012 will be a huge year for him and it begins on February 25th in his hometown of St. Louis.  My co-host Ernie Gabion asked him if he felt this was a crossroads fight.  In his last three fights Alexander had tough victories over Andriy Kotelnik and Lucas Matthysse while also suffering his first pro defeat last January against Tim Bradley.  The diplomatic Alexander feels that he is turning over a new leaf in a new weight division and that all of his fights are "crossroads" type fights.

"To me every fight is a crossroads fight because you never know what is going to happen in any situation.  It will be a big win for me and 2012 will be a big year but it all starts with this fight versus Maidana.  I don't make excuses but I wasn't at 100% at 140.  People will see the difference at 147," Alexander told The Boxing Lab.

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton