By Cliff Rold (photo by Tom Casino/Showtime)

It’s not often a support bout earns its own report card but this isn’t the normal support bout.  On an excellent televised card which spotlights the improved 140 lbs. class, Junior Witter-Devon Alexander threatens to steal the show or at least hold pace with the main event.  It also begs the question of whether one fighter can break what has to date been almost a curse in appearing on the Showtime airwaves.

It’s the latest in a hot year for the Jr. Welterweights which began with Andriy Kotelnik-Marcos Maidana, ramped up in April with unification between Timothy Bradley and Kendall Holt, and continued through Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton, Maidana-Victor Ortiz, and Amir Khan- Kotelnik. 

Paired with Bradley-Nate Campbell this Saturday, this battle for a WBC belt vacated from Bradley following his victory over Holt will further add to the feeling of a round robin happening by chance rather than design.

Let go to the report card.

The Ledgers

Junior Witter
Age: 35
Titles: None
Previous Titles: WBC Jr. Welterweight (2006-08, 2 Defenses)
Height: 5’7
Weight: 139 lbs.
Average Weight – Last Five Fights: 140.35 lbs.
Hails from: Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Record: 37-2-2, 22 KO
Record in Title Fights: 4-2, 2 KO
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Defeated: 4 (Lovemore N’Dou, Andriy Kotelnik, DeMarcus Corley, Vivian Harris)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced in Defeat or Draw: 2 (Zab Judah, Timothy Bradley)

Vs.

Devon Alexander
Age: 22
Title: None
Height: 5’7
Weight: 138.5 lbs.
Average Weight – Last Five Fights: 138.9 lbs.
Hails from: St. Louis, Missouri
Record: 18-0, 11 KO (First title fight)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Defeated: 1 (DeMarcus Corley)

Pre-Fight Grades
Speed: Alexander A-; Witter B+
Power: Alexander B-; Witter B
Defense: Alexander B; Witter B
Intangibles: Alexander B; Witter B+

Witter has to be biting his nails just a tad.  This fight is to be aired on U.S. network Showtime, a place he’s appeared prominently twice.  A place he’s lost prominently twice as well.  The first loss, at the hands of Zab Judah, was so bad it was surprising he ever made it back to U.S. air at all.  It was a style clash to say the least and garnered Witter a reputation as a runner in the U.S.   Time has proved the analysis incorrect though one couldn’t call him an orthodox fighter by any stretch.  He didn’t run in his second Showtime outing nearly a decade later, but was still soundly outboxed by Bradley.

We’ll see if he can reverse this curse.  He’ll face a different stance than Bradley showed him but the similarities between the southpaw Alexander and the last man to solve Witter are abundant.  Alexander should have the edge on speed as Bradley did and it might not have been the case a couple years ago.  Witter appears in his last couple fights to be slipping from a peak form reached in wins over DeMarcus Corley and Vivian Harris.  He’s slowed down just a smidge which is a problem for a guy whose style has always been based on quick reactions and odd angles. He pops a good jab but opens up to look for an educated right and a left hook which he whips from the shoulder and the waist. 

Witter is a better puncher than his record indicates and has gotten better with age as he sets his feet more.  He showed finishing pop against Harris and has enough to test the so far untested chin of Alexander.  He fought flat footed in his only bout since the Bradley loss, a knockout of Victor Castro, and if Alexander can’t get his respect the walk forward pressure he applied there might be on display Saturday.

Alexander relies on fundamentals and speed and needs to because, so far, he’s shown less than devastating power.  He’s scored his share of knockouts but none have come against anyone noteworthy as yet.  The two most recognizable names on his record, Miguel Callist and Corley, had no difficulty making the distance.  Alexander will need to rely on his left jab, applying it consistently, to stop Witter from getting into his awkward rhythm.  Quick lead right hooks to the body would be handy.

In terms of defense, both men have been touched in their career, Alexander less often because he hasn’t been in with enough guys who can force the issue.  Witter’s angles will test his walls but also leave him countering chances.  Witter will leave openings, he always does, but his head and torso are always moving so Alexander will have to look to hit him where he’ll be rather than where he was.

In terms of intangibles, we know Witter can live up or down to a moment but is generally consistent.  One loss since 1999, to Bradley no less, speaks to his quality as a professional and he has to date shown a solid chin.  While he suffered a knockdown against Bradley, he also got up and had no trouble finishing the fight with six rounds to go.  We just don’t know much yet about Alexander’s insides as a fighter.  In his biggest step up fight, against Corley on the Roy Jones-Felix Trinidad undercard, he fought with a calm which could just as easily have been displayed at a local, off Broadway show.  He kept within himself and made sure to leave with the duke.  It could be a sign of things to come.

The Pick

35 does not have to be old in boxing anymore but it can be for a guy whose game was about timing at its best.  Witter may not have the maximum of his physical tool chest anymore but does a vast edge in experience count for more here? 

Alexander enters as the WBC’s number one contender but in most respects in still just a prospect and thus enters the ring here suspect.  It’s not to be taken as an insult.  Fighters prove themselves against elevated competition and this is a significant ride up from the ground floor.

It should be a ride into the victory circle.  Alexander’s going to have some rough spots but he’s catching Witter at a perfect time and his superior hand speed should mean enough contact to pull away in the final third of the bout for a decision victory and first major belt.   

For a look at the Bradley-Campbell main event, go to: https://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=21309

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com