By James Slater: Devon Alexander and Marcos Maidana suffered disappointing defeats recently, yet despite this both 140-pounders remain high-profile, big time players in the stacked division. And both men are currently plotting their next move.
Maidana has been calling out everyone from Amir Khan (in a rematch of their December 2010 thriller) to Floyd Mayweather Junior. While southpaw Alexander, who lost his unbeaten record and WBC title to the unbeaten Tim Bradley this past Saturday, says he would like to face Maidana in his next fight. At least the manager and trainer of the 23-year-old from St. Louis has said he has no problem at all facing the Argentine banger next.
In talking with Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, Kevin Cunningham said the Maidana fight is definitely one he and his fighter would like; in the summer.
“Team Alexander has no problem with fighting Maidana next,” Cunningham said. “The fight draws 12,000 to 15,000 in The Lou (Louisiana). We will be ready for Maidana in June or July. Maidana is the meanest SOB in boxing. Huge fight in St. Louis.”
That it would be, but would it also be too risky a fight for Alexander – especially as he is coming off his first pro defeat? Style-wise, Alexander, with his classy southpaw skills, would perhaps be able to make the somewhat crude-looking Maidana look even cruder. Alexander is a natural boxer and Maidana does have trouble with fleet-footed, stick-and-move guys (see the early rounds of his losing fight with Khan). It’s easy to envisage Alexander out-boxing Maidana for long periods – in the early rounds at least.
But Alexander appeared to lose his composure and his willingness to fight due to the relentless pressure of Bradley this past Saturday. Maidana is also a come-forward guy who loves to pour it on, making his opponent both feel it and then wilt. And if Bradley – not the type of fearsome, one-punch KO guy Maidana is – could take Alexander’s heart, what will the former interim WBA champ do? Also, Maidana was able to rip through the southpaw stance of the previously unbeaten Victor Ortiz when he faced him. Okay, Alexander is way more slick that is Ortiz, but his stance doesn’t figure to overly trouble “El Chino.”
Alexander, though, should be commended for even thinking about taking this ultra-dangerous match-up as his first “comeback” bout. Another loss – especially the kind of devastating, lights out KO loss Maidana is capable of inflicting on any opponent – would very possibly finish Alexander’s time at the top. So too could another loss seriously diminish the star power of Maidana.
Could we be seeing the ultimate win-at-all-costs crossroads match this summer?