Team Devon Alexander Place Timothy Bradley on Notice

By Rick Reeno

It’s turning into a junior welterweight royal rumble on BoxingScene.com. Shortly after Timothy Bradley’s promoter Gary Shaw put Amir Khan on blast, I received a call from Devon Alexander’s manager Kevin Cunningham, who had some choice words for Shaw and Bradley.

Earlier, Shaw contacted BoxingScene to give his thoughts on Amir Khan turning down a unification fight with Bradley. Cunningham contacted BoxingScene to discuss Bradley turning down an opportunity to fight Alexander in 2009. Alexander puts his WBC title on the line when he takes on IBF champion Juan Urango in an HBO televised unification fight on March 6.

“We’re in training camp, busting our chops, busting our humps, getting ready for Juan Urango, but we’re constantly seeing this stuff about Tim Bradley being the most feared junior welterweight in boxing. We’d like to respond to that,” Cunningham said to BoxingScene.

“Gary Shaw said to you ‘what kind of champion would give up their title to face someone without a title’ – well, that’s exactly what Tim Bradley did when Devon was his mandatory. He gave up the WBC title to fight Nate Campbell who didn’t have a title.”

After the fight with Urango [provided Alexander wins], Cunningham wants a unification showdown with Bradley. He doesn't underestimate Bradley's ability. In fact he views Alexander and Bradley as the two best fighters at the weight. Which of the two is better? There is only one way place out, says Cunningham, and that place is in the ring.

“We are willing to invite Bradley to the Mohegan Sun on March 6 and he can get the winner which will be Devon. After we take care of Urango, they can be next. They don’t have to look for anybody. He says he can’t get a fight; well Bradley needs to look no further. He can be next,” Cunningham said.

“Devon was ready to give him business when he was the mandatory. He did the right thing and gave up the WBC title and fought a older opponent, a more easy opponent and now he’s the most feared junior welterweight n boxing…that’s bulls**t!. I agree with Gary Shaw, real champions don’t give their belts up to avoid fighting anybody.”

“They are the two best junior welterweights in the world. I do believe that and obviously the Bradley camp believes that also because they never mention Devon’s name. Once Devon takes care of Urango, we ‘ll sign to fight Tim Bradley in the ring that night.”