Frank Stea
For two-time former light welterweight
champion Devon Alexander 23-1 (13KOs), it has been a career goal for the 25
year old Saint Louis native to fight in the bright lights and big city of Las
Vegas.
With less than one month before fight
night, the location was finally announced recently by Alexander’s promoter
Golden Boy Promotions, that his IBF welterweight title fight against Randall
Bailey is to take place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on September 8th in Sin City.
“When
you fight in Vegas, it’s like a boxer’s dream.
It’s the fight capital of the world. I think everyone wants to have their name on the big screen, in the big
lights in Vegas. I’m excited to have my
very first fight in Vegas. I’m excited
to be fighting for world title in Vegas at that.” said Alexander when asked
about fighting in Las Vegas.
“The Great” has been known throughout the
boxing community for his undying love and support from his hometown fans in St.
Louis, MO. Alexander is expecting his
hometown to be behind him as he vies for his first world title at 147lbs.
“I have the best fans in the world. Saint Louis has been supporting since I was
coming up on the undercards of Corey Spinks.
They were supporting me in my amateur days. Saint Louis has been behind
me 120%.”
“In
Vegas, they’re going to be coming out in full swing.”
“I have people already getting plane
tickets and fight tickets. They’re going
to be there supporting. I’m excited
about that too.”
His opponent for the evening on September 8th
is the one-punch knockout specialist and current IBF welterweight champion
Randall Bailey 43-7 (37KOs).
Since this fight was announced, both
parties have traded verbal jabs at one another.
Bailey most recently on this past Monday nights edition of ATG Radio had
harsh things to say about Alexander.
Basically being translated into Bailey saying he would be victorious and
the fight would end by brutal knockout.
Alexander called into the show on Wednesday
evening to respond to Bailey’s comments.
“How can he implement that? That’s the big question. With me throwing 100-200 punches a round to
his 5 punches. If his last performance
is what he’s going to bring on September 8th, it’s not going to
work. Whatever they try to come up with,
it’s not going to work.
“Right now I am in beast mode. I know what I got in front of me. I know what I’m looking for. I know everything about Randall Bailey.”
With fighting in Las Vegas and without
looking past Bailey, Alexander made a point that he wants boxing’s top draw
Floyd Mayweather to take notice to this fight as he plans to win impressively
in Mayweather’s city on September 8th. Alexander hopes to land a fight with Money
sometime in the near future.
“I am going to put on an awesome
performance. That could be a possible
fight for me down the line. After I take
that IBF belt on September 8th, I will be a hot commodity in
boxing.”
“I would love to fight Floyd. I would love to get in there and show them
that I am one of the best.”
“If it’s Floyd or if it’s Pacquaio, I want
to fight the best period. Right now
Randall Bailey has a belt and he’s considered one of the best at 147lbs because
he got a belt.”
In past interviews, Alexander’s trainer
Kevin Cunningham went on record stating that his fighter had never been involved
in a street fight. Alexander was asked
if he could street fight any current fighter in boxing today.
“Bradley.
I would definitely street fight Bradley.”
We brought up another one of Saint Louis’
popular fighters, former undisputed welterweight and junior middleweight
champion Cory Spinks. Spinks’ career as
an elite level fighter are now far behind him.
“Cory Spinks is one of my brothers. We came up together. We’re tight like glue. I came up with him in boxing when I was 8 or
9 years old. I’ve saw him from his pro
debut up to his last fight.
“I think in boxing, a career is short lived
anyway. When it’s time to give it up,
it’s time to give it up. I think Cory’s
best days are in the back of him. It’s
time to move on in my opinion.”
Last year, Alexander signed with Golden Boy
Promotions after being unhappy with his previous promoter Don King. Golden Boy has recently made quite a few
questionable decisions as far as promoting their talent and events. Alexander seemed not too thrilled with his current
promotional situation.
“I don’t know what’s going on over there to
be honest with you. They’re battling
with Top Rank about dates and this and that.
Everybody is trying to outdo everybody. They are forgetting about the real task at hand.”
“The Canelo fight is coming up. They’re real focused on that with trying to
outdo Chavez-Martinez. They just have to
do a better job.”
“I am happy with Golden Boy but I do expect
things to be done a lot better on this fight (with Bailey) because I went
through this with Don (King). Not
announcing the fight until three weeks before.
This happened when I fought Urango in Connecticut. They didn’t announce the fight until 30 days
before and that’s no good.
“I think they got to get their stuff
together and focus on everybody and stop focusing on just one fighter or trying
to outdo everybody.”
To listen to this 30 minute interview click
here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/all-timegreat/2012/08/16/atg-radio-presents-superstars-of-september-8th-and-others.
We were also joined during the interview by
former 2 time world champion Marlon Starling.
The show also includes exclusive interviews with John Molina Jr, Travis
Walker, Thomas LaManna, and Cleotis Pendarvis.
ATG Radio is hosted by WBN representative
Frank Stea, Tim Kudgis, Michael Doss, Jake Donovan, and Kim Francesca.