By Lem Satterfield
Negotiations for a junior welterweight unification are heating up. HBO is pushing to have WBC/IBF champion Devon Alexander and WBO king Timothy Bradley come together for a fight. The network, and fight promoters Gary Shaw and Don King, have discussed a tentative date of January 29.
One of the sticking points for Alexander's manager and trainer, Kevin Cunningham, is the money. Cunningham wants at least a 50-50 split for his boxer - or the fight won't happen. Because of Alexander's ability to draw, at least in St. Louis, Cunningham believes they are at least entitled to an equal split of the money.
"The bottom line is this: We'll fight Tim Bradley next. We're willing to fight Tim Bradley on a 50-50 split, and we think that the fight makes sense in St. Louis. But it doesn't have to be in St. Louis. We'll fight Tim Bradley anywhere," said Cunningham.
"But the fight doesn't make sense in California, because Tim Bradley doesn't draw but 2,000 there. So the fight can't take place in California. Devon is willing to fight Tim Bradley if the money's right, wherever.
If the financial numbers are not satisfied, then Alexander and Cunningham will pursue alternative opportunities.
"Gary Shaw is talking all of this sh**, but we don't need Tim Bradley. If Devon can do 10,000 fans with a guy that nobody has ever heard of [Andriy Kotelnik], then, Devon can fight at home a couple of times a year and be just fine. So we don't need Tim Bradley," said Cunningham.
Shaw, who promotes Bradley, refused to discuss money, but he is open to a 50-50 split and a neutral location to stage the fight. There is no way the fight will take place in St. Louis, says Shaw.
"I don't discuss money, but this is one of those fights where a 50-50 split is not out of the question," said Shaw. "If I had my choice, I would obviously like to see the fight in California," said Shaw. "But other than that, I would like to see the fight in Washington, D.C., or, New Orleans. There simply is not a chance that the fight is going to St. Louis."
