By Dean Parr
Hackney born Mark Alexander has never been able to take the easy road. Don't be fooled by his 8-4 (O KOs) record though, as looks can be deceiving. Alexander has been in with some very good fighters on the domestic scene in the UK. Two of his defeats were points losses against Henry Castle and John Simpson, while in his latest fight (on August 21st), he played hell with Michael Brodie, knocking him down twice, although ultimately getting stopped himself in the fourth.
On the Brodie encounter, Mark had this to say. “In the fight with Michael Brodie, I was two punches away from winning. I was happy with my performance, but I could have boxed a lot better and that was down to my gym training, sparring and planning,” he revealed.
In general, 2009 has not been a great year for Alexander, as the fighter himself acknowledges. He's only fought twice in the last twelve months; once in a losing effort against Michael Brodie, and the other time he beat journeyman Robin Deakin (then 1-19) on points. When reflecting on 2009, Alexander declared:
“I would say this wasn't a good year for me, because I never got any chances. However, I'm expecting 2010 to be something special for me. There is no name in particular with regards to people I want to fight next year. I'm just looking to get a championship fight first - then I'll be gunning for names.”
Alexander splits his training between the Kronk Gym run by Emmanuel Steward in the States, and the Real Fight Club in London, England, and he admits that there are positives and negatives about mixing his training up like this.
“Me training with Manny Steward in the Kronk gym has been good and bad for me at the same time. Promoters in England need to take note that I'm a good fighter with skills - Manny would not waste his time if I did not have those skills. But with the promoters in England, there is too much politics. In this sport it's all about the contacts you know, not about how good you are or how good you can become,” declared Alexander.
So the questions remains, what will Mark be doing next? “I was told I'll be out again in February,” he revealed.
“If not I have some fight dates lined up for me in America, and back here in the UK, but the only reason big things will happen in the year 2010 is because I'm gonna make them happen.”
As a final message to his supporters, Alexander had this to say. “It's been a hard road, a roller coaster ride and a struggle, but like I said, if I get my chance, then you will see why they call me 'The Flash',” he pledged.
