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By Jake Donovan - With a super fight against Tim Bradley waiting in the wings, undefeated Devon Alexander survived the toughest test of his career, overcoming a cut and the determination of former titlist Andriy Kotelnik to take a unanimous decision in their 12-round bout Saturday evening at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Both fighters came in below the junior welterweight limit. The defending unified junior welterweight titlist Alexander weighed 138¾ lb, while Kotelnik – a silver medalist in the 2000 Summer Olympics and a former junior welterweight titlist – was slightly heavier at 139½ lb.
Alexander consistently beat Kotelnik to the punch in the early rounds, doubling and tripling up on his jab and following up with laser-like left hands from the southpaw stance. Kotelnik was content with following around the quicker Alexander, but enjoyed momentary success with a flurry midway through the second round.
Kotelnik truly made his presence felt for the first time in the fight late in the third round with a flush counter right hand that caught the attention of Alexander, who otherwise won the round but was there to be hit. The lack of mobility did not sit well with lifelong trainer Kevin Cunningham, who demanded that his charge stop fighting “straight up and down,” and start putting his jab and quickness to better use. [Click Here To Read More]
Both fighters came in below the junior welterweight limit. The defending unified junior welterweight titlist Alexander weighed 138¾ lb, while Kotelnik – a silver medalist in the 2000 Summer Olympics and a former junior welterweight titlist – was slightly heavier at 139½ lb.
Alexander consistently beat Kotelnik to the punch in the early rounds, doubling and tripling up on his jab and following up with laser-like left hands from the southpaw stance. Kotelnik was content with following around the quicker Alexander, but enjoyed momentary success with a flurry midway through the second round.
Kotelnik truly made his presence felt for the first time in the fight late in the third round with a flush counter right hand that caught the attention of Alexander, who otherwise won the round but was there to be hit. The lack of mobility did not sit well with lifelong trainer Kevin Cunningham, who demanded that his charge stop fighting “straight up and down,” and start putting his jab and quickness to better use. [Click Here To Read More]
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