On paper, the match-up between undefeated light welterweight champs Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander was perfect. Two talented young champs entering their respective primes with each seeking a career-defining win that would vault him into the pound-for-pound discussion and a possible mega-payday against either Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr..
In the ring, the match-up was a technically competitive - but never scintillating - chess match with neither fighter ever truly seizing control. Punch stats were basically even with Bradley making the slightly better impression by virtue of moving forward and initiating most of the action.
In the end, the bout was a bitter disappointment as it ended in a technical decision win for Bradley as Alexander could no longer continue after getting hit repeatedly with unintentional headbutts by Bradley. Bradley, like Evander Holyfield, is not a blatantly dirty fighter but his head serves as something of a battering ram as he closes the distance on opponents, who frequently end up on the damaged end of "unintentional" butts.
The first butt opened a large cut over Alexander's right eye in round three. There were two more butts in round eight and a final clash early in round ten which left Alexander unable to keep his eyes open due to a "burning" sensation. As a result, the fight went to the scorecards where Bradley was ahead 98-83, 97-93 and 96-95.
While the bout doesn't really improve or damage the status of either fighter too much, it certainly doesn't move either closer to a Pacquiao or Mayweather payday. Hopefully, the rematch clause in the contract will not be exercised. Bradley's next fight should be a title unification bout with WBA champ Amir Khan. Alexander should take some time off to allow his cuts to heal.
Comments
I wouldn’t say that the fight was a “huge disappointment” It was good while it lasted. I thought one or both would step it up, but Alexander didn’t appear to want to risk too much.
That being said. A Khan match-up would be great for Bradley. People want to see it and he will lay it on the line and take risks.
I would like to see him vs the pac-man too. Both are willing to take risks and that makes magic.
Alexander appears to be really talented and protected. I’m not interested in him for the future unless he finds a way to release the fury.
Neither of these guys stand a chance against Khan/Pacquiao/Mayweather… Bradley is too slow,inacurate and is only effective when he can get close and Alexander does not have any power behind his punches.
It would be interesting to see Bradley vs. Pacquiao. They both hit from all angles, could make for a really exciting fight.
Bradley-Alexander was an interesting fight for the first few rounds and very even on my card with Bradley perhaps a point ahead for aggression and effectiveness. Somewhere just before the receiving the cut, Alexander seemed to waiver and give in more and more, perhaps losing his determination. Bradly never letup and kept on coming. Alexander made a comment about a mandatory rematch clause in the contract, so we may get to see the two go at it again, before either steps up. If there is a rematch, I suspect it will turn out the same way, unfortunately for Alexander. Styles do make fights, and the styles in this match-up are the aggression of Bradley and the defensiveness of Alexander; the aggressive style will dominate.
Alexander was looking for a soft spot on the canvas before he found a hard spot on Bradleys head. The constant pressure of the tank was too much and a rematch will likely not occur any time soon.
Sorry………..Bradley is a dirty fighter. he rams his head intentionally and right on target. But
when Alexander complained and pointed to his right eye that was not the eye that that received the last butt, the last butt was on the left eye. It would have been better to take a knee, at least it would not have looked so phony.
I love boxing but it really has a lot to be desired.
I agree with you Tina . It is obvious that bradley uses that big hard head as a battering ram . If I can not hit him I will simply blast him with my head . This is one of many reasons I do not care for bradley . He is a B plus fighter , not a real champ . I would have been too embarrassed to receive the belt in his so called victory over pacman . Now , after everything he wants a remtch ?? No , he just wants a big payday , which is not wrong , but he wasnt very smart in his tactics and his choice of words , so , it will cost him millions . Where else is he going to make that kind of money ?