By Ian S Palmer
Devon Alexander vs Lee Purdy Preview May 18
IBF Welterweight Champion Devon Alexander of the U.S. will be attempting to hold onto his title when he meets Britain’s Lee Purdy at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday May 18. Alexander will climb through the ring ropes with a record of 24-1 with 13 Kos while Purdy boasts a mark of 20-3-1 with 13 Kos. Alexander had hoped to take on another Briton in Kell Brook, but that bout fell through when Brook had to pull out of it due to a foot injury.
Alexander, a southpaw, is one of the best welterweights around and suffered his only defeat at the hands of Timothy Bradley, who also went on to beat Manny Pacquiao. Alexander had to stop in the bout against Bradley in 2011 due to a bad cut and lost in a technical decision. Alexander is an excellent boxer with a good defense, fine hand speed, and accurate punches. In fact, his worst fight was against Bradley and he’s bounced back from that setback with three straight wins.
Those wins have come against some pretty good boxers in American Randall Bailey, as well as Argentina’s Marcos Maidana and Lucas Matthysse. He was dropped by Matthysse, but was able to fight back to win a close decision. He’ll be facing a decent boxer in the 25-year-old Purdy, but not an elite one. Purdy has decent power and likes to stalk his opponents. He’s usually patient in the ring, but when he senses he’s in control he often chases his opponents and has trouble with those who can employ good footwork.
Purdy’s won four straight bouts including a TKO against Cosme Rivera. Before his winning streak he was beaten twice in five fights including a unanimous decision to Denton Vassell back in 2010 as well as a majority decision loss against Colin Lynes last November. He’s definitely going to be taking a huge step up in class when he meets Alexander. He faces a tough task to dethrone the champion because of Alexander’s all-round boxing skills.
Alexander has the ability to use the ring and get in and out with his superior hand speed and foot work. While he’s been decked before, he still has a solid chin and can take a punch well. He doesn’t usually go looking for knockouts, but has the ability to pick up the pace when he senses an opponent’s in trouble.
Prediction
Purdy is really going to have to pick up his game and be at his absolute best here if he has any chance of beating Alexander. He’s going to have to box well enough to win rounds on points because he’s not a one-punch knockout artist. He has to keep as busy as possible and let his hands go every chance he gets. If he can stay busy all three minutes of every round he could make it close on the scorecards. The more likely scenario though is a comfortable decision win by Alexander or a late stoppage by the American.
