by David P. Greisman
“Devon’s excited and he’s ready to expose Maidana.” ~Kevin Cunningham, trainer of Devon Alexander, talking about a possible fight at welterweight between Alexander and Marcos Maidana.”
BoxingScene.com: You just said Devon’s ready to expose Maidana. What do you see or not see in Maidana that Devon could take advantage of?
Cunningham: “Maidana’s a very, very dangerous fighter. He’s a big puncher. He’s very dangerous, a very crude, rugged guy, but Devon’s skill set and Devon’s punching power has been totally underestimated. I just think Devon’s going to expose Maidana and really look good in this fight.
“I think Devon, he’s had a couple sub-par performances, and he’s been criticized for that, which is rightfully so. And we understand that. But I think at welterweight, he’s going to have his strength and energy, and Devon, he always looks forward to making fights with the top guys.
“Maidana is definitely one of the top guys and one of the most dangerous, in theory, guys in the division. I think Maidana is going to be right there for Devon to take advantage of, of everything he wants to do. That’s what I mean when I say exposed. He’s going to be exposed in this fight — badly.”
BoxingScene.com: Is there a comparison at all between Maidana and Juan Urango?
Cunningham: “There’s a few comparisons. Urango was a big, strong, aggressive banger. I think Urango is a physically stronger guy than Maidana, but Maidana hits pretty good. Maidana punches with the best of them. There’s some comparison,
“But Maidana, he’s crude and rugged, but he’s got a method to what he’s doing also. He’s not just coming forward. He’s got a little method to his madness. But I don’t think it’s going to be good enough.
“I think Devon’s going to show everybody that he is that guy they thought he was when he stopped Junior Witter and knocked out Juan Urango. I think 147 is going to fit Devon well. He’s going to put the world on notice once he takes care of Maidana.”
BoxingScene.com: You believe, then, that making 140 has sapped Devon of some of the power we saw earlier on…
Cunningham: “Yeah. If you’re weak and you don’t have the strength and you’re fighting at half-strength, you’re not going to be able to perform up to your best if you’re not as physically strong.”
David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter at twitter.com/fightingwords2 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fightingwordsboxing, or send questions and comments to fightingwords1@gmail.com
