Listen Now:
Twenty-four-year-old Devon Alexander “The Great” (21-1, 13 KOs) walked into his St. Louis gym today for a media workout looking like a mature fighter who knows what is at stake in his 140-pound showdown against Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse on Saturday at The Family Arena in nearby St. Charles (HBO: 9:45 p.m. ET/PT)
When asked about his first loss, suffered at the hands of Timothy Bradley in a pivotal match designed to help determine supremacy at the 140-pound weight limit, Alexander was resolute in his reply.
“I want to show people why I was considered one of the best at 140 pounds,” Alexander said, “and I want those people who believed in me to know that they were not wrong.
“I am one of the most capable and dangerous fighters in the division, a former unified world champion that wants to return to the top. My goal is to prove my greatness and be International Boxing Hall of Fame material before I hang up my gloves.”
His trainer, Kevin Cunningham, echoed and expanded upon his fighter’s comments.
“I’m not too concerned because it’s not like Devon got beat up against Bradley,” Cunningham said. “He just didn’t do as well as he should have.
“Now he has the man I believe is the most dangerous at 140 pounds in front of him on Saturday night, this kid from Argentina, Lucas Matthysse, so this is an opportunity for Devon to answer any questions about how good he can be. I believe he will shine.”
Tickets priced at $25, $50, $125 and $300 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Family Arena Box Office, all MetroTix outlets including online at metrotix.com or charge by phone at (314) 534-1111. All tickets include parking. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions.
Raw Quotes
Devon Alexander “I want to show people why I was considered one of the best at 140 pounds and I want those people who believed in me to know that they were not wrong.
“I am one of the most capable and dangerous fighters in the division, a former unified world champion that wants to return to the top. My goal is to prove my greatness and be boxing hall of fame material before I hang up my gloves.
“Lucas Matthysse is one of the most dangerous guys out there, a big puncher. But they said the same thing about Juan Urango and I put him out on his back.”
Kevin Cunningham, trainer and manager of Devon Alexander: “We had a tremendous training camp in Colorado Springs.”
On concerns coming off the loss to Tim Bradley: “I’m not too concerned because Devon didn’t get beat up by Bradley, he just didn’t do as well as he should have. Tim has a history of head butts, which played out, but we take full responsibility for not doing what we were capable of.
“Now he has the man I believe is the most dangerous in front of him on Saturday night, this kid from Argentina, Lucas Matthysse, so this is an opportunity for Devon to answer any questions about how good he can be. I believe he will shine.”
