Factors that Will Make the Difference in the Devon Alexander vs. Timothy Bradley Fight:
Live from the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan on January 20, 2011, HBO will showcase the first super-fight of the year, pitting two of the best junior welterweights together as Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley will face off against Devon Alexander “The Great”. Both the WBC and WBO light welterweight titles will be at stake in this winner takes all battle, not to mention both fighter’s undefeated records and top dog status in the loaded junior welterweight division. Fireworks are definitely going to happen in this fight as both Bradley and Alexander express sheer dislike for each other, and neither opponent has pulled any punches in interviews and appearances during the fight’s promotion.
During HBO’s Faceoff segment, both fighters claimed that they will be ready for the fight come January 29, but the feud between the two fighters became real heated when Bradley and Alexander’s trainer, Kevin Cunningham, got into a heated argument. Cunningham ended the argument by saying to Bradley, “be pissed off because come January 29, you’re going to be pissed off.”
What a fight this is going to be. Both fighter’s styles will make for a great fight, but only one can emerge as the victor. [Timothy Bradley is the betting favorite]. With all of that said, here are the keys to victory for the Devon Alexander vs. Timothy Bradley fight.
For Devon Alexander to win, first and foremost, he will need to use his jab effectively while staying on the outside, and then use his great boxing skills to nullify Bradley’s aggressiveness. He will need to control the fight with his speed and elusive skills, using to whole ring if he needs to, counterpunching Bradley as he tries to engage him. Devon will need to pick and choose the times that he will decide to stand and fight Bradley, and when he does, continue to use Bradley’s aggressiveness against him with effective counterpunches and combinations. If Alexander can control the rhythm the fight, and use Bradley’s aggressiveness against him with effective jabbing and counterpunching, then I feel that this fight will be Alexander’s.
For Timothy Bradley to win, he will need to use his jab effectively also. Both fighters will need to try to get the jab off first in this fight to set up the other big shots. Bradley will need to use effective aggressiveness against Alexander by bullying him, and roughing him up, but not getting too overexcited which will get him in trouble in this fight by giving Alexander more opportunities to retaliate. Bradley will need to keep the work rate up by throwing a lot of punches at Alexander to offset his rhythm, and tire him out down the stretch. As we all know, Alexander had some stamina issues in his last fight. Going into this bout, Alexander will be the better boxer, so if Bradley can be the effective aggressor and apply effective pressure to wear Devon down, then I feel that Timothy Bradley will win this fight.
At the end of the day, January 29, 2011, will pit two undefeated fighters in the junior welterweight division, with contrasting boxing styles, one fighter being a little more aggressive than the other. Both fighters throw a lot of punches, and most of all, they really do not like each other. With all of this said, this fight adds up to a potential fight of the year candidate, especially at times in the fight when Alexander and Bradley actually stand in the middle of the ring and trade. What a way to start off the boxing year! No matter who wins this fight, if Amir Khan decides to get into bed with either one of these guys in the future, it will not be a cakewalk, that’s for sure.
