By Ryan Burton
WBC junior welterweight champion Devon Alexander "The Great" speaks to BoxingScene.com about his upcoming unification scrap with IBF junior welterweight champion Juan Urango. Alexander talks about his training camp and also what this fight and his career means to his family. Alexander is one of thirteen children and he not only fights for personal glory but also wants to give his family a better life. See what else the St. Louis native has to say in this exclusive interview.
BoxingScene.com: First off Devon how would you rate your training camp now that it is over and you are putting the final touches on the big fight?
Devon Alexander: It has been a perfect training camp. It has been one of the best training camps we have had so far. It was in Vegas and we were running up at Mount Charleston. We were just going to work. It is Vegas you know and it has the altitude which has helped me get in blazing shape and I should be able to punch all night.
BoxingScene.com: When I talked to your trainer Kevin (Cunningham) he told me that you had been to a couple training camps in Vegas with Cory Spinks. How did it feel for this to be your first training camp where you were the focus of camp?
Devon Alexander: It was the first camp that was mine. It is exciting. It means that I finally am out on my own. I can take my own career by storm. It was a great camp.
BoxingScene.com: Most boxing writers have been saying you are the favorite in the fight but you have to watch out for Urango's power. You have plenty of power yourself. Do you think Urango should be watching out for your power?
Devon Alexander: If he is not then he is going to be in for a rude awakening. My punches hurt. You can ask the people I have fought how my punches feel. I have fought guys that are big and that hit hard and have power. I can take a pretty good punch. The other thing is that he is going to have to catch me. I am not saying I am going to run but he is going to have find me to hit me. I know that he is coming to try to him me and apply pressure and I am not just going to stand there and punch.
BoxingScene.com: Urango throws a lot of wide and sometimes wild punches. Do you think that sets up perfectly for you to counter punch him?
Devon Alexander: Oh definitely but we have an excellent game plan and I am going to execute it perfectly. We are ready and I am in excellent shape. We know that this is going to be a tought fight. If he is going to be there for twelve then we are going to beat him up for twelve.
BoxingScene.com: How does it feel to be on HBO?
Devon Alexander: It feels great. It is a blessing. I am just a snotty nosed kid from North St. Louis. I am from the gutter. I am a brother of thirteen and I am the only one in the family to make it out of a bad situation into a better situation. This truly is a blessing to be on HBO. I have been working hard my whole life and it is paying off. I am going to continue working hard until I make it to the top.
BoxingScene.com: Did you say you are one of thirteen?
Devon Alexander: Yes. I am one of thirteen. We have a strong family and we are all close. A couple of them are coming out to the fight and it is going to be great.
BoxingScene.com: Not too many boxers are unifying titles at 23 years old. Put that into perspective for us.
Devon Alexander: It is unbelievable. My whole career I have been working hard. I haven't missed a day in the gym. If my coach says to be there then I am there. I am not trying to be arrogant or anything like that but I think I am the best in my division. First thing is that I have been around champions and trainers of champions. I know if I stay humble and work hard that I will be okay.
BoxingScene.com: Recording artist Drake will be leading you into the ring on Saturday. How did that come about?
Devon Alexander: There are somethings that just come together. Me and my coach were thinking of who would bring me out and Kevin knew some people who knew some people and it came together. Drake is 23 and I am 23 and he has a song called "Forever" and it says Greatest and they call me The Great so it just comes together. I didn't know it would come together this perfect. It came together and that is it.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Devon Alexander: Thanks to all the fans for their support. They are going to continue to see me rise and continue to see me grow and to see me learn more and more about the game. Come March 6th you will see I will be the new unified champ. The WBC and IBF junior welterweight champ, Devon Alexander "The Great".
