Alexander's Trainer: Devon Will Aim To Destroy Maidana

By Chris Robinson

As initially reported by BoxingScene.com, it appears that an attractive matchup between former champion Devon Alexander and WBA junior welterweight titleholder Marcos Maidana is on tap for January of February of next year. The bout would be contested in the welterweight division and would present an interesting contrast in styles given Maidana's all-action, pressing nature and Alexander’s boxing skills.

Alexander’s trainer Kevin Cunningham had initially been eyeing a bout with Paulie Malignaggi, as the Brooklyn fighter and Alexander had been trading words with one another for several months, but Golden Boy Promotions seems keen on bringing Maidana into the fray.

Giving his thoughts on the fierce-punching Argentinean, Cunningham instantly recognizes the danger involved in a bout with Maidana.

“I think he’s probably one of the toughest fighters in the sport,” Cunningham said with respect. “He’s one of the biggest punchers and he’s a crude, mean, tough son-of-a-gun, that’s what he is.”

But listening to Cunningham, you get the sense that it’s far from an uphill battle for his charge.

“We would beat him,” Cunningham stated. “Devon would have to be on-point and bring his A-game to that fight. Devon has the ability the box, he has the ability to bang. He stopped Junior Witter, he stopped Juan Urango, so he can hurt people. If the fight happens we will make the adjustments and fight the fight that’s going to bring us to victory.”

Cunningham then took a shot at British star Amir Khan, who struggled mightily with Maidana late in their December 2010 bout, taking several flush punches in the tenth round before holding on for a close decision verdict.

“I guarantee ya it’s not going to be a boring fight,” Cunningham stated. “Because Devon doesn’t do a whole lot of running around the ring like Amir Khan. He’s not going to be doing all that moving and running around like Amir Khan. He’s going to be right there in front of Maidana and I think his punches would land first.”

A bout with Maidana is extremely different than facing the challenge of figuring out the slick style of Malignaggi, but Cunningham feels that the ending result could still be the same.

“I’m not going to say he’s a more credible opponent than Paulie because Paulie has credentials and Paulie has a name. I think we would have had to be on a more ‘seek and destroy’ mission more-so with Paulie than with Maidana. We’re going on a destroy mission with Maidana but we’re not going to have to seek him out. He’s going to be right there.”