Alexander the Great considers Timothy Bradley, but may conquer other lands
Negotiations for a big time junior welterweight bout are heating up. After a more than controversial decision over Andriy Kotelnik, many looked towards current WBC/IBF champion Devon Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs) taking on WBO champ Timothy Bradley (26-0, 11 KOs). And while nothing has been officially scheduled, both sides are playing a game of boxing battleships.
A tentative date of January 29th is floating around, according to Boxingscene.com. As is always the case, both sides have yet to work out financial terms and that facet of things remains the main obstacle. Kevin Cunningham, Alexander’s trainer, wants a 50-50 split purse for his fighter, or he’s threatened the fight won’t happen. Cunningham cites Alexander’s ability to draw crowds, especially in his hometown area of St. Louis, as warranting the split. There’s also the fact that Don King, who promotes Alexander and works primarily out of the St. Louis area would bring in an even bigger crowd.
Cunningham recently said: "The bottom line is this: We'll fight Tim Bradley next. We're willing to fight Tim Bradley on a 50-50 split, and we think that the fight makes sense in St. Louis. But it doesn't have to be in St. Louis. We'll fight Tim Bradley anywhere.”
Obviously Cunningham would like to have the fight in St. Louis, as Alexander would be the hometown guy and possibly be able to rally a decision even if he doesn’t actually ‘win’ the fight. Such is the sad reality of the sport. At the same time, it’s questionable if Bradley would be willing to agree to these terms. If he truly wants to show the world he’s the best taking out Alexander is obligatory. And to do it in Alexander’s house would be the biggest statement he could make.
Cunningham had more to say on the subject: "But the fight doesn't make sense in California, because Tim Bradley doesn't draw but 2,000 there. So the fight can't take place in California. Devon is willing to fight Tim Bradley if the money's right, wherever.”
Got it. So if the financial quotas aren’t fulfilled, “Alexander the Great” and his camp will try to conquer new lands.
"Gary Shaw is talking all of this sh**, but we don't need Tim Bradley. If Devon can do 10,000 fans with a guy that nobody has ever heard of [Andriy Kotelnik], then, Devon can fight at home a couple of times a year and be just fine. So we don't need Tim Bradley,” Cunningham snapped.
That may be true from a financial perspective, but others might argue that if Alexander wants to keep his fans, he might just need Bradley.
Gary Shaw, who promotes Bradley, refused to talk money, but said recently that he is open to a 50-50 split and a “neutral” location to stage the fight. But he denied flat-out that the fight would happen in St. Louis.
"I don't discuss money, but this is one of those fights where a 50-50 split is not out of the question," Shaw said. "If I had my choice, I would obviously like to see the fight in California. But other than that, I would like to see the fight in Washington, D.C., or, New Orleans. There simply is not a chance that the fight is going to St. Louis."
Gary Dawson recently took a trip to Montreal for then-undefeated Chad Dawson’s bout against Jean Pascal. The match was a stunner in that Pascal handed Dawson his first professional defeat. The match was stopped in the 11th round due to an unintentional head butt that left Dawson unable to continue. After the fight, and particularly during the post-fight conference, Shaw complained of bad officiating and said that the judges and referee were biased.
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