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Alexander: I’ll step in for Ortiz and show him I am elite!

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
‘The Great’ aiming for big fights

Former world light-welterweight king Devon Alexander would have no problem stepping to on June 23rd to face Victor Ortiz if Andre Berto’s injury rules him out of the welterweight clash.

The Saint Louis stylist, who unified the 140lb divisions WBC and IBF titles in 2010, was responding to WBN’s recent interview with Victor Ortiz, who hinted that Berto may not be ready to face him in the summer.

Ortiz, 25, who himself is a former WBC champion at 147lbs, also retorted to Alexander’s eagerness to meet the winner of the fight, believing that ‘The Great’ was a level below him and Berto in the pecking order at welterweight.

Alexander told WBN that if an opening did come up to oppose Ortiz in June, then he would be more than willing to step in and take Berto’s place for the bout - touted to take place at The Staples Center.

“I would definitely step in, without doubt, “ Alexander told World Boxing News.

“If he doesn't think I'm an elite fighter then ill prove by beating him. No problem at all.”

The 25 year-old is coming one of his better performances to date, a dominating performance over ten rounds against interim WBA light-welterweight champion Marcos Maidana and is currently weighing up his options for his return in the summer.

“My plans next just depend on the situation and what's best for me at that point,” he explained.

“But I would love to get one of the winners of the big fights coming up. So time will tell.”

Those fights Alexander was talking about include Vyacheslav Senchenko defending his WBA belt against American Paulie Malignaggi, Randall Bailey v Mike Jones for the vacant IBF title and of course Mayweather and Pacquiao’s upcoming bouts with Miguel Cotto and former opponent Timothy Bradley.

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