By Jody Kohn
Before Floyd Mayweather signed to fight Robert Guerrero back in May, Devon Alexander’s name was mentioned as being a strong possibility to take on the pound-for-pound king. While ultimately he did not get the fight, Alexander made it known that the fight was something that he coveted. With a strong showing against Shawn Porter on Dec. 7, he thinks his name could be right back in the mix again.
However, before he sets his sites on a fight with Mayweather and the millions he would earn from it, he needs to get by a man 22 other fighters have attempted, and failed, to defeat. Shawn Porter is certainly nobody’s showcase fight. In fact, Devon Alexander may have a hard enough time just walking out of the arena with the IBF welterweight belt still around his waist.
Although Porter may not have a defeat on his professional record, this fight is actually a rematch from their amateur days. Back in 1996 when both were not even close to their teen years, Alexander was able to defeat the Ohio native in a hard fought contest. Despite the setback, when we spoke to Porter he insists that no emotional scars remain from that encounter so many years ago.
Now, once again the underdog, Shawn Porter is relishing the role, and saying that suits him just fine.
“That doesn’t bother me at all. He’s the guy with the belt and I gotta do what I gotta do to get that belt,” Porter said.
As with any fighter who enters the ring in search of his first world title, Alexander better be prepared for the best effort of Shawn Porter. And if he thinks it is ok to look past him, Porter has a message for his opponent:
“He’s got to get past me first. I am preparing to fight him and nobody else. I expect that in return. If I am not getting a guy coming to the ring focused on Shawn Porter, he’s got some problems.”
When the dust settles next Saturday night in Brooklyn, however the fight ends should make for an interesting story. If Shawn Porter gets his wish, the title will read:
“Showtime Shawn Shines on Showtime.”
