Alexander is Ready: I Know I Can Beat Maidana Easily!

By Ryan Burton

 

BoxingScene.com recently caught up with former WBC/IBF junior welterweight champion Devon Alexander "The Great".  The St. Louis native bounced back from suffering the first defeat of his career against Tim Bradley by pulling out a split decision in an exciting fight versus tough  Argentinean Lucas Matthysse.

 

Alexander's team is now in negotiations to face another big Argentinean puncher in Marcos Maidana.  It will be both fighters first fights in the welterweight division.  In this BoxingScene.com.com interview Alexander talks about the potential matchup with Maidana, quieting his critics and more.

 

BoxingScene.com:  How are you doing Devon?  I have been hearing that the fight versus Marcos Maidana is almost finalized.

 

Devon Alexander:  We are ironing out the wrinkles right now.  I am anxious to get back in the ring because as you know and everybody else knows, I have a lot of doubters out there with my previous performances.  I am anxious to get back in there and prove everybody who has doubted me wrong.

 

BoxingScene.com:  This will be your first fight at 147 pounds.  What differences will we see?

 

Devon Alexander:  You will see more power, more elusiveness and more agility.  I am going to have way more energy.  In the last few fights people don't know that they weren't getting Devon at 100%.  They were getting Devon at 60% or probably 50% (effectiveness).  My energy level wasn't always there in my previous few fights.  147 is going to bring a lot more energy to my game.  People are going to see that I am going to be one of the best in the division and in boxing period.  

 

BoxingScene.com:  We know that Maidana is a hard puncher and that he is good at closing out fights.  The Khan and Morales fights were good examples of him digging deep to win the late rounds.  Do you think one of the keys to the fight will be the fact that you will have the stamina and energy that you are talking about late in the fight?

 

Devon Alexander:  Yes of course. That is going to play a big part.  My stamina is going to be there if it does go the distance.  I am hitting harder now but if it does go the distance I will have the stamina at the end of the fight and I will be able to handle whatever Maidana is trying to do.  Skill wise, you know Maidana can't beat me.  Power, I think I have just as much power as he does.  We will see when the contract is signed.  I will be ready to rock and roll.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Maidana sometimes leaves himself open when he throws his power shots.  He likes to throw wide, slow, hooks.  Do you plan on throwing a lot of straight lefts and rights to make him pay for his wide punches?

 

Devon Alexander:  He showed it when he fought Victor Ortiz.  He leaves himself wide open.  He just goes in for the kill in every fight.  You know skills pay the bills at all times.  You see that the person with more skills wins the fights most of the time.  For me Maidana is going to be a good fight but I am coming to go work and to show people where I am at now.

 

BoxingScene.com:  What do you think a win over Maidana does for your career?

 

Devon Alexander:  They prop up Maidana like he is one of the bigwigs in the game right now at junior welterweight and welterweight so beating Maidana is me beating an elite fighter. It will put me right back where I need to be.  It will put me right back where I was when I fought Timothy Bradley.  It is going to be a big win.

 

BoxingScene.com:  There has been talk that the winner of you and Maidana's fight may have a shot at facing Floyd Mayweather.  That must be your ultimate goal, right?

 

Devon Alexander:  Yes I have heard that too.  As you know I am ranked number one by the WBC and Floyd has the WBC belt so we will have to see about that.  That would definitely be a good look.  Like I said, people don't want to see talk, they want to see action and you guys are going to see what happens when I fight Maidana.  Now to all the doubters that jumped off the bandwagon, when I beat Maidana easily and convincingly don't jump back on.  Stay off, because I know that is what they are going to do.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you have a message for the fans?

 

Devon Alexander:  To all my fans and my non-fans, I have been in the gym working lightly.  I am ready to sign the contract.  Maidana and me is close to being done and then I will start training camp.  I am ready to rock and roll so let's get it on.  I want to thank all supporters and all the doubters too and to you, my man Ryan, thanks for the interview.