CORPUS CHRISTI, Tex. – The banner behind the scale on the hastily erected stage read “Three of boxing’s biggest threats, seeking world supremacy.” Far as promotional taglines go, it wasn’t a most-ridiculous claim, though of course it was exaggerated. California heavyweight Chris Arreola then took the stage, and the force of his mass, or personality, made the centerpiece banner fall.

“It’s the spirits!” cackled promoter Don King.

“Motherf-ckin’ Zapata!” said Arreola, identifying exactly whose spirit he believed had dropped the embellished banner. Arreola’s guess was good as any.

So ended the prefight buildup of a week that saw a few open workouts and a Thursday press conference that featured a meandering history of Texas provided by none other than King, who referred to Mexicans as “wetbacks” in a sort of slave-ship-to-White-House way King intended to be evidence of empowerment but to which others later lent their own bad faith. Arreola seemed to respond, in small part, to King and his mini-controversy, Friday, when he shouted Emiliano Zapata’s name in a tribute to a Mexican revolutionary hero whose umbrage was nevertheless reserved for Mexican hacienda owners, not Texans.

The entire spectacle was a bit confusing. Originally scheduled to happen on the outdoor patio of a nearby restaurant, Friday’s “Triple Threat” weigh-in was moved, unbeknownst to any but friends and familiars, to a spot off the staircase of American Bank Center, the host venue for Saturday’s fight. There, the fighters mingled with the crowd, sitting in chairs and posing for pictures anxiously while awaiting a chance to make weight.

First on the scale was main-event opponent Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan, who weighed 155 pounds for his super welterweight match with Paul “The Punisher” Williams, who weighed 153 1/2. The fighters’ registering two different weight classes raised some quiet confusion about where on the scale the fight would happen. Super welterweight, apparently. Though, as Williams and Ishida will not be fighting for a title, Ishida did not have to make 154.

Following them were IBF light heavyweight titlist Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud – who made 175 pounds – and Gabriel “Chico Guapo (Handsome Boy)” Campillo, who weighed 173 1/2. Cloud, who is not a prohibitive favorite in their Saturday match by any means, was all dignity and composure before and during the weigh-in, belying the storm he brings with him in the ring. “Chico Guapo,” meanwhile, took the post-scale stare down as a good chance to look over the hundred or so gathered, with his dreamy eyes.

The card’s biggest draw, the aforementioned Arreola, was sixth on the scale, weighing 245 pounds. He was preceded by Texas heavyweight Eric Molina, who made 228. Immediately after Arreola cited Zapata and appeared trimmer than the man who was once a premium-cable headliner, he got in a stare-down shouting match with Molina that was 99 percent shtick and perhaps one percent genuine animosity. Arreola, for his Mexican roots, is expected to attract whatever crowd attends Saturday’s card.

Doors open at 5:30 PM local time, with first bell scheduled to ring at 6:30. 15rounds.com will have full ringside coverage.

Former Welterweight world champion Paul Williams will be back in action on February 18th when he takes on Nobohiro Ishida on February 18th as part of a Showtime televised card that will also feature IBF Light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud defending against Gabriel Campillo according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Paul is anxious to get back in there and re-establish himself in the minds of people who don’t give him credit for winning the fight with Lara,” said Williams promoter Dan Goossen. “People will forget real quickly with a good performance against Ishida. Whether you had Paul winning or losing (against Lara) it was an exciting fight and that’s what Paul Williams is known for — being in those types of fights. He gives as good as he gets most of the time, so I think this should be another one of those good Paul Williams fights.

“I believe Kirkland’s performance against Angulo was a factor that showed that Ishida deserved the shot with Williams in another big fight,” Goossen said. “To me, Ishida has earned his opportunity to fight a fighter like Paul Williams and Paul has earned the right to fight the man who knocked out James Kirkland. This is a fight that will be a barometer to see where Paul is. I believe he is still at the top of the class in the 154-pound division. Ishida is somebody you have to contend with to get back to that top level.”

“One of the things I love about it is that he is right-handed,” Goossen said.

If Williams is successful against Ishida, Goossen said the hope is that Williams will get a rubber match with Martinez and a rematch with Lara.

“That’s a fight we would like to get back,” Goossen said of another fight with Martinez. “They’re 1-1. Paul wants to do it again with Lara, too, even though he got the victory because Paul is the kind of fighter who wants to erase any doubts.”

“When Campillo got call to fight on Dec. 31 he took the fight immediately,” said Sampson Lewkowicz, Campillo’s promoter. “When they canceled the fight I kept Campillo in training. Now we are getting the fight on Feb. 18. We have agreed on everything. I spoke with Don King (Cloud’s promoter) and I am waiting for the paperwork.”

Undefeated former two division champion Zsolt Erdei injured his hand and has been forced to withdraw from his New Years eve showdown with IBF Light Heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“He’s been waiting for this opportunity, so he is not a happy camper,” said Erdei’s promoter Lou DiBella of Erdei. “He’s upset, but if you can’t fight, you can’t fight, and the doctor is telling him he can’t fight.

“We are looking at all options and hope to have an answer by Monday,” Showtime’s Gordon Hall told ESPN.com.

Coming off his first professional loss to Timothy Bradley this past January, Devon Alexander rebounded (sort of) by taking a controversial split decision over Lucas Matthysse in a ten round Jr. Welterweight bout at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri.

Matthysse landed the harder shots as he featured the left to the body and right hands upstairs. In round four, Matthysse landed a perfect right to the head that sent Alexander down for the first time in his career. Alexander fought hard as he mixed up trading with the puncher and moving back to gain room to operate.

Matthysse fought very well in the second half of the fight by landing power shots and causing some tense moments for Alexander. Matthysse had a big round seven as he landed numerous right hands and body work. Alexander followed suit in round nine with some solid left hands of his own.

Both guys tried to impose their will in the final round but it was Matthysse who landed the better shots and even opening up a cut around the right eye of Alexander.

When the scores were announced, it was Alexander who had his arm raised by taking the fight by the scores of 96-93; 95-94 while Matthysse took a card 96-93.

Alexander, 139 1/2 lbs of St. Louis is now 22-1. Matthysse of Argentina is now 28-2.

Tavoris Cloud defended his IBF Light Heavyweight championship with a hard fought eighth round stoppage over Yusaf Mack.

Mack fought very well over most of the fight as he boxed and moved and stuck to his gameplan. Cloud got through with some good power shots that Mack took very well. Mack was actually doing well in the eighth round until he got caught with a left to the side of his face that stunned him. Cloud jumped on Mack and landed five shots that sent him to the canvas over the bottom rope.

Mack was up at referee Sam Williams count of six but was still very dazed and when he was asked to walk towards the referee, Mack stood still and fight was waved off at 2:57 of round eight.

Mack, 175 lbs of Tallahassee, FL is now 22-0 with nineteen knockouts. Mack, 174 1/4 lbs of Philadelphia is now 29-4-2.

Bermane Stiverne made his plea to call himself heavyweight contender with a one-punch knockout over former world title challenger Ray Austin in round ten of a scheduled twelve round Heavyweights bout.

Austin had success early with the jab as he used his 6’5″ height to his advantage. Stiverne rocked Austin several times such as in round two with a left hook as he looked for one shot to end the things. Austin was deducted a point after round three by lunging a shoulder in to Stiverne after the bell. Stiverne continued to land the bigger shots while Austin was looking to box by featuring his jab.

Stiverne was very effective in round’s seven and eight by working the body and landing some nice power shots. In the first minute of round ten, Stiverne missed with a right but connected with a big right that sent Austin to the canvas.

Austin barely beat referee Mike England’s count but the fight was stopped forty-four seconds into the round.

Stiverne, 238 1/2 lbs of Miami, is now 21-1-1 with twenty knockouts. Austin, 238 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 28-6-4.

Devon Alexander: “Matthysse is a rough and tough fighter. I brought the fight out in me because people had their doubts about my abilities as a boxer.

“The knockdown [first of his career] was a flash knockdown [in the fourth round]. I had to pull it out. I was having flashbacks from my last fight with Bradley, and I wasn’t going to lose two fights in a row. As a matter of fact, I’m never going to lose again.”

Kevin Cunningham: (trainer and manager of Devon Alexander) “I didn’t enjoy watching a rugged, tough guy like Matthysse in there with my fighter. I knew it was gonna be tough. I didn’t want to see my fighter trading with a puncher like Matthysse, but because of all the criticism he took after the Bradley fight, he felt he had something to prove in his hometown.

“I think when Devon reviews the tape of the fight, he’ll see that he was at his most effective when he was using his boxing skills to the fullest.”

Lucas Matthysse: “I gave it my all. It was a tough fight but I thought I won. Once again, I was robbed. He’s lucky he won the fight. I thought when I put him down, I’d finish him off but I couldn’t.”

Tavoris Cloud: “Yusaf Mack is a good fighter. I can’t take nothing away from him. I just caught him with some good shots.

“If you noticed, he was tiring down. I heard him breathing hard during the last three rounds. I was telling him, ‘You’re tired, aren’t you?’

“The whole game plan was to go to the body. He wasn’t hurting me. I knew he was a bouncy-bouncy guy, an in-and-out guy. I wore him down with body shots and took him out.

“Jean Pascal is here tonight. If he’s ready, I’m ready. I’m ready for anybody.”

Yusaf Mack: “He kept clipping me on the top of the head. I kept telling the ref about it but he only warned him once. The ref told me to stop holding him.

“I thought my plan was working well.

“The first shot in the corner dazed me but it was on the top of the head. The final punch was on top of the head also.”

Bermane Stiverne: “I knew he was going to try and box me but he often drops his right hand. I kept listening to his corner. Whatever they said, he did. So I started anticipating that. It became a big advantage for me.

“I was a little too lax but I felt good tonight. I was looking for the perfect shot instead of establishing my jab. The perfect shot did come in the 10th round. It was a short shot, a half-hook right hand that did him in.”

I’m on my way to my first world championship. I can feel it. I still have a lot to learn and I can get better.”

Ray Austin: “I was waiting ‘til he [the referee] reached eight [in his count during the 10th round]. In the dressing room before the fight, he told me as long as I am up by nine it would be OK. Then I got up and bounced around to let him know I was ready. So I got up at eight and bounced around on my feet to let him know I was ready and he stopped the fight. How many rounds do you think I won? [Austin was winning on two cards at the time of the stoppage.]

PHILADELPHIA (June 17, 2011)—Next Saturday night in St. Charles, Missouri, Yusaf Mack of Philadelphia will attempt to follow in the legendary shoes of Bernard Hopkins and capture a slice of the Light Heavyweight championship as he takes on Tavoris Cloud for Cloud’s IBF title.

Mack of Philadelphia has been extra motivated by a man he calls one of his mentors as he watched Hopkins become the oldest man to win a major boxing championship when he won the WBC/Ring Magazine crown with his win over Jean Pascal on May 21st in Montreal.

“I have known Bernard for my whole boxing life and he was one of the guys who has given me pointers and helped me throughout my career and seeing what he has accomplished and in particular what he did to Pascal gives me that extra drive and inspiration that lets me know I can win this fight”, said Mack

Mack has a record of 29-3-2 with seventeen knockouts recently attended a ceremony where the Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter presented Hopkins with gifts and recognized him for his amazing accomplishment.

“That was amazing. I was and am so proud of Bernard and being at the ceremony I just kept thinking that if can accomplish some of those things, I can achieve the same. It starts on June 25th when I beat Tavoris Cloud and bring back that IBF Belt home. Ironically it the IBF belt that Bernard first won.”

“After I win on June 25th, The Light Heavyweight division will run through Philadelphia with Bernard and I ruling the division. This has been the best training camp of my life and if Tavoris thinks he is seeing the same guy who fought Glen Johnson, then that will be his problem on June 25th.”

Cloud against Mack is part of a big fight card that will be televised LIVE on HBO.

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $125 and $300 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Family Arena Box Office, all MetroTix outlets including online at metrotix.com or charge by phone at (314) 534-1111. All tickets include parking. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions. Alexander vs. Matthysse, presented in association with Golden Boy Promotions; Cloud vs. Mack, presented in association with Bash Boxing/Lights Out Promotions; and Stiverne vs. Austin will be televised on HBO beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT (8:45 p.m. CT).

Number one Ranked Light Heavyweight Yusaf Mack talks about his June 25th Title opportunity against Tavoris Cloud

It was a major surprise late last year when it was announced that Glen Johnson 51-14-2(35) would be a late addition to the Super Six, his inclusion only came because other fighters fell out of the tournament through various injury’s. He scored a dominant win over Allen Green to progress to the Semi Finals where he will now meet Carl Froch for the Englishman’s WBC Super Middleweight title. He’ll be the underdog, but that’s nothing new to the affable Jamaican, it’s a role he’s used to and relishes the chance to shock the world again. He started his career brightly back in 1993 going an impressive 32-0(22) before he ran into a certain Bernard Hopkins and unsuccessfully challenged for Hopkins Middleweight title. After that setback he slipped into journeyman status going 7-8-1 before getting a shot at the Vacant IBF Light Heavyweight title in England against Clinton Woods. Though many believed he should of won it was declared a draw. He returned 3 months later to right the previous wrong and set up for a clash with Roy Jones Jnr. Many believed he was just cannon fodder against the unworldly talented Jones. However he shocked everyone by dominating Jones before knocking the great man out. He parlayed that win with a victory over Antonio Tarver to become The Ring magazine’s 2004 Fighter of the year. Since then he’s lost a few but only to the best whilst beating everyone else, he’s given young guns like Chad Dawson & Tavoris Cloud hell before losing decisions. When the 42 year old “Road Warrior” was offered the spot in the Super Six he jumped at it and see’s it as a new way to prove himself. Here’s what the humble Jamaican had to say.

Hello Glen, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You have the semi finals of the Super Six coming up with Carl Froch on 4 June in Atlantic City. What are your thoughts on that fight?

Glen Johnson – You know obviously the fights going to be a tremendous fight; it’s going to be a great fight. Carl Froch is a real fighter and the world already knows I am a good fighter. So we’re going to give the fans their money’s worth.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of Froch?

Glen Johnson – Well he’s a good fighter. He fought a couple of fights I saw him in. He fights on the inside and brawls. The last fight (against Arthur Abraham) he kept his distance used his jabs. He’s an excellent brawler and he’s also an excellent boxer, so we prepare for both things. He’s coming to fight a good fight and I’m going to be ready to fight back.

Anson Wainwright – How easily do you make 168? Before the Allen Green fight it had been 10 years since you were that low in weight.

Glen Johnson – The big challenge was making it for Allen Green but I already made that weight and I did it at short notice and it wasn’t difficult it was easier than I thought. With this fight I had plenty of notice. I’m already on my weight now a month from the fight.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us how the deal came about to enter the Super 6?

Glen Johnson – A couple of people got hurt. I believe (Mikkel) Kessler got hurt and they needed a replacement for Kessler & then Andre Dirrell got hurt and they needed a replacement for Dirrell so I believe I replaced Kessler because of the eye and then I needed to knock out Allen Green to make it into the Super Six semi finals just winning wasn’t going to be good enough and when Dirrell got hurt all I needed was just a win but I needed up knocking out Allen Green anyway. So even If I needed a knock out I’d of stayed in.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team; who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also where do you regularly train for fights?

Glen Johnson – My manager is Henry Foster, my trainer is Orlando Cuellar and my promoter is Warriors Promotions run by Leon Margules and also Di Bella Entertainment there partners on the promotional deal. I live in Miami and train in Miami, I don’t really go anywhere. I keep my training camp here in Miami.

Anson Wainwright – You’re now 42, what do you think are the main reason’s why you have been so successful at an advanced age for a Boxer?

Glen Johnson – I really don’t know, I could be the fact that clean living, genetics or it could be the fact that I work hard and that I take care of myself or it could be a combination of both but whatever it is I’m not questioning it. I’m not changing anything.

Anson Wainwright – How much longer do you think you can keep performing at the highest level?

Glen Johnson – You know hopefully we can find out I don’t make plans.

Anson Wainwright – Who do you think is the best fighter you have fought in your career?

Glen Johnson – The best fighter I fought was Bernard Hopkins. You know when I fought against Bernard Hopkins we were at two different levels. He was great and I didn’t feel like I knew what was going on, the guy was superior to my level at that time. Nobody has ever got in the ring with me that made me feel the way Bernard Hopkins made me feel, he just made me feel I couldn’t win. Nobody else ever made me feel like that when I’m in the fight. Bernard Hopkins let me know right off the bat from the first round that I had no chance of winning the fight.

Anson Wainwright – What is your best win in you opinion?

Glen Johnson – The Roy Jones fight that was the most popular. I would go with that fight but I would say the fight that meant most to me was the fight is Clinton Woods because that’s when I won my championship and that’s the fight that set up the Roy Jones fight was winning the fight, without winning the championship I’d not of boxed Roy Jones. Winning the IBF title meant the most to me but guess the most popular was the Roy Jones fight.

Anson Wainwright – Many years ago you were scheduled to fight Joe Calzaghe but for various reasons the fight never happened. Why was this from your point of view? What did you think of Calzaghe?

Glen Johnson – I just believe Joe Calzaghe was scared of me. I don’t see no other reason for the fight not to happen. We scheduled the fight 3 times and 3 times it didn’t happen and he had an excuse why the fight didn’t happen. What else is there to say. Maybe he could answer it different but that’s from my side.

Anson Wainwright – Tell us about growing up in Jamaica? How were things for your growing up there? Also how did you first become interested and take up Boxing?

Glen Johnson – Growing up in Jamaica was great for me. I enjoyed my childhood. I had a lot of fun as a kid. I had loving & caring people taking care of me, I had great friends and stuff around and I enjoyed their company. It was a great time for me. I love swimming and did a lot of that when I was on the Island. It was a typical childhood, I just grew up enjoying my surroundings. It was a wonderful time.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do when you’re not Boxing? What are your hobbies and Interests?

Glen Johnson – My hobbies…You know I don’t know if you can write what I like to do outside of Boxing as my hobbies! Haha But yeah spend time with my wife, lets put it like that! Haha

Anson Wainwright – Not to close to fight!

Glen Johnson – No, not at fight time. Outside of fight time it’s my favourite hobby!

Anson Wainwright – How did you start Boxing?

Glen Johnson – I started Boxing because I was overweight at age 20. I started to get overweight I had a lot of overweight people in my family and didn’t want to end up overweight so I started looking around for a gym to work out. They opened a gym in my community. If you lived in the area it was free and free fitted my budget so I went in and started working out, just exercising and the coach took a liking to me and started to teach me the technique of Boxing. He asked me if I wanted to star amateur Boxing and I said “Yeah” so we took if from there. 3 years later we turned pro.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on the other semi final of the Super Six? Presumably you’ll be following that Ward-Abraham?

Glen Johnson – Oh yeah definitely. I’ll certainly have Interest in that fight, I’m looking to fight the winner. I’m looking to win my fight so I’ll be looking to see who I’ll end fighting. I think it’s a good fight, people aren’t giving Abraham much of chance but I think it’s a tough fight for Ward because of Abraham’s style. I believe Abraham will get off a lot easier than he was with Froch. Froch stayed on the outside away from him, Ward’s not that type of guy. He’s faster, he moves his hands faster (Ward) but I give (Abraham) a chance, a lot of people don’t. I think it’ll be a good fight.

Anson Wainwright – Do you still consider yourself part of the Light Heavyweight division?

Glen Johnson – Not right now, I see myself as a Super Middleweight right now. I don’t think I’ll go back to the Light Heavyweight division there’s nothing in the Light Heavyweight division for me. One of the reason’s I was hanging around the Light Heavyweight division was hoping the guys from the Super Middleweight division would come up. But I came down so there’s no reason for me to. I already fought everyone at Light Heavyweight, there’s nobody else to fight. The Super Middleweight division has a lot of opportunities, a lot of great fighters are here. A lot of fighters I’ve never fought, It’s opened up a fresh chapter and great fights for the fans. I’m looking forward to the future in the weight class.

Anson Wainwright – After the Hopkins fight you lost several fights that many people believe you should of won. What are your thoughts on that?

Glen Johnson – You know for me even though the consensus is I was robbed and I didn’t get the decisions you know I didn’t let it take control of me. For me it was a motivating factor. Even though these fighters couldn’t beat me inside the ring, they had people outside the ring (the judges) beat me. They didn’t because they didn’t have the talent in the the ring to beat me. That was the thing for me it was a whole different factor. I kept my spirits up. Probably if I won that fight I probably wouldn’t of had that drive. It made me tough and more mentally prepared for the future.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans ahead of the Froch fight?

Glen Johnson – Of course, the message to my fans is their the greatest fans in the world. Most people want to jump on bandwagons of guys who are undefeated and obviously if you look around I’m far from that. So the fans that I have I cherish them. There real Boxing fans, they know what their looking at and seeing and I appreciate that. I get support around the world. So thanks for that.

Thanks for taking time out to speak to us Glen.

Thanks, I appreciate you taking time to Interview me.

Anson Wainwright

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Light Heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud will defend his crown on December 17th in Miami, Florida against former Super Middleweight title challenger Fulgencio Zuniga.

“I’m not familiar with Zuniga, but my prediction is we gonna win the fight,” Cloud told ESPN.com on Tuesday. “All I heard about the fighter is he a tough fighter, been in some title fights and he comes to fight. We taking him serious like any other fight.

“Those other guys turned it down. They demanded a lot of money, but Don King made a very fair offer,” Bonanni said. “Zuniga took the fight. He was offered the fight and stepped up to the plate. He has a big guarantee with Don if he wins. This is a tougher fight in my opinion than if we fought Otis Griffin anyway. Zuniga is a proven veteran. He’s nothing to be sneezed at and we are training as such.”

“We tried everyone in the light heavyweight division [in the IBF rankings] who was available and there were no takers,” Said Cloud’s trainer Al Bonanni. “We’re training for Zuniga and we’ll be ready to go at it on Dec. 17. I’m very happy Cloud is fighting. We want to stay busy.”

“Everything’s coming together now,” Cloud said. “I had promotional problems in the past [before signing with King] and all of that has been taken care of. It’s good to be right back in the ring. I’ve been rusty as a nail when I’ve fought and I’m still performing on a world class level. It is good to be back in the ring before the year is out.”

Cloud’s goal is to take care of Zuniga and then look for a major fight in the division. He mentioned lineal champion Jean Pascal, fellow titleholders Beibut Shumenov and Jürgen Brahmer and top contenders Chad Dawson and Nathan Cleverly.

“After I take Zuniga out, I’m looking for any of those guys, wherever,” Cloud said. “Pascal, Dawson. Shumenov? We will knock him out in [his home country of] Kazakhstan or wherever he want to meet at. Cleverly, Brahmer. Tell them all to put the money up. I’ll come to their hometown and knock them out.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Light Heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud will defend his belt against an opponent to be named while undefeated Heavyweight Odlanier Solis will take on Ray Austin in a WBC Elimination fight on December 17th at The American Airlines Arena in Miami.

Cloud’s trainer Al Bonani mentioned to espn.com that two fighters are being being talked to by promoter Don King for the coveted world title opportunity.

“Don is negotiating the price with both fighters so by Monday, maybe Friday, we should have somebody,” Bonani said.

“He just wants to fight in his home state and stay busy,” Bonani said of Cloud, who is from Tallahassee. “He wants to fight regularly. We’d like to have this fight and keep busy. He’s in the gym. We want to keep him sharp and also take this fight to have some Christmas money.”

“We’re interested, but it’s not on the top of the list,” Bonani said. “We have possible unification fights and fights overseas. But Dawson is an interesting match. We’re interested, but we’ve also been offered [former titlist] Adrian Diaconu in Canada on a [Lucian] Bute card. We’ve talked about Bute. A unification with [Beibut Shumenov] would be huge money in Kazakhstan and that’s been discussed. But I am glad HBO is considering putting Tavoris back on. The kid is ready to fight the best.”

Devon Alexander’s speed, ring generalship, athleticism and pure boxing ability are without question.

Coming into Saturday night, Alexander impressively defeated three current or former world champions and at age 23, many felt he was one of the best young boxers on the planet. But following twelve tougher than expected rounds against Andriy Kotelnik, gaps in his defense were clearly exposed. The fighter dubbed as “Alexander the Great” looked far from it.

Alexander consistently worked behind a jab and straight left hand in attempt to keep his slower, more economical opponent off. The WBC/IBF Junior Welterweight champion dictated most of the pace throughout the twelve round contest however, Kotelnik had no problem tagging the unbeaten hometown favorite when he closed the gap.

On a number of occasions, Kotelnik effectively flurried which clearly made Alexander, who bled near his left eye in the second half of the fight from an earlier clash of heads, uncomfortable.

Alexander vacated his game plan down the stretch, fighting toe to toe to the delight of a packed house at the Scottrade Center and the dismay of Trainer Kevin Cunningham. Had Kotelnik been busier, he may have been able to overcome the 11 to 1 odds stacked against him, but Alexander’s ability to keep his hands moving gave him the nod.

Scores were 116-112 on all three cards; all four if you count mine.

Alexander, who hails from St. Louis, is now 21-0 with 13 KO’s. Although he fell to 31-4-1 (13 KO’s), Kotelnik returns to Kiev, Ukraine as a serious threat in the 140 lb division.

In the televised co-feature, Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud retained his IBF Light Heavyweight title with a hard fought twelve round unanimous decision over heralded tough guy and former world champion Glen “Road Warrior” Johnson.

Johnson and Cloud stood toe to toe in the opening two stanzas, with the latter getting briefly buzzed following a right hand in the second. The two fighters exchanged rounds from that point forward, as each man had spurts of success. The 41 year old Johnson worked well in close quarters, relying on jabs, right hands and body punches, giving Cloud all he could handle.

The Tallahassee, FL based Cloud rocked and nearly dropped Johnson in rounds 5, 9 and 11 following a plethora of heavy head shots that would have decked any other fighter in the division. The younger and fresher Cloud clearly landed the cleaner, harder punches en route to sending Johnson, who gassed out in the final two rounds, home with yet another close defeat.

Scores were 116-112 on all three cards. 15rounds.com scored the bout 115-113 for Cloud.

Cloud, of Tallahassee, FL, is now 21-0 with 18 wins by kayo. Johnson, of Miami, FL via Jamaica, falls to 50-14-1 (34) following yet another tough defeat.

FLASH QUOTES

WBC/IBF 140 POUND LIMIT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

DEVON ALEXANDER VS. ANDRIY KOTELNIK

DEVON ALEXANDER

(Prior to the decision announcement) “We good. I think I did enough to win. (After the decision announcement) It was an okay performance for me. I am my own toughest critic. Kotelnik is a tough fighter, an ex-world champion. Like I told everyone, I have an A, B and C plan. I have all three, so I can adjust to whatever anyone brings. Kotelnik trained hard. Give him credit. I listened to my trainer (Kevin Cunningham). He told me to box. (Leg issue) My left leg was going out on me in the final round. I had a cramp. I trained for 12 rounds and got the victory. That is what I came here to do.

(On the cut to his right eye) It was my first cut, but I fought through it like a world champion does. We knew Kotelnik would come in, in shape and he did.”

ANDRIY KOTELNIK

“I want the belt. I deserve it. If the fight were anywhere but here, I would be champion. I am speechless. I have no words to describe what happened. That guy has something that belongs to me.”

TRAINER STACEY MCKINLEY (to Kotelnik are the fight)

“Everyone knows the fight was closer than that. In fact, you won the fight.”

IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

TAVORIS CLOUD VS. GLEN JOHNSON

TAVORIS CLOUD

“I was head butted a lot. It was a heck of a fight. I have a lot of respect for Glen. I had the most effective punches. I hurt him worse. Glen Johnson said I was off balance. It is the same thing. You got hurt because I hit you. I was looking for a shot to get him out. He’s a slick fighter, so I didn’t get the KO. I definitely want to fight Chad Dawson. I was a little rusty tonight, so I will be better next time. I am a bad man. I going to be a unified world champion and undisputed champion.”

GLEN JOHNSON

“I made some adjustments throughout the fight. He was throwing a lot of punches, but I was blocking most of them. But the judges were counting them all. He caught me with a punch over there that I was not ready for. I was off balance and that was the only time I got caught.”

WBC USNBC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

RYAN COYNE VS. WARREN BROWNING

RYAN COYNE

“Browning was a tough guy. He thought he would have the power advantage, coming all the way down from heavyweight. The truth is, I will walk you down, lock you in the closet and defeat you. We did what we came to do. Win a championship and make my promoter, Don King, proud. This is a great fight town. Leon, Michael, Cory, Devon and all the rest. I am just proud to be following in their footsteps.”

IBF JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPCORY SPINKS VS. CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE

CORY SPINKS

“The referee stopped the fight, but I don’t know why. I totally disagree. He didn’t even hit me and I lost my title.”

TRAINER BUDDY MCGIRT

“Cory is a world champion and I think a world champion deserves the benefit of the doubt in that situation.”

REFEREE MARK NELSON

“Spinks had a staggered and dazed look. He shook his head (after the knockdown) as if to say, no. At the count of eight, he stepped backwards and I didn’t want his opponent to hit him again in that condition.”

CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE

“I knew I was going to get him. It was just a matter of time. I want Manny Pacquaio next. I am thankful. We have the best team in the land with Keith Lee, Emanuel Steward and Don King. I went after it. He was right there at the opening bell, so I went for it. I went right after him. It was just a matter of time.”

EMANUEL STEWARD

“It was a good fight. It could have been better. He was too anxious. He wasted a lot of energy. It has never been in this big of a fight. He is in a hot division and I am sure he will get a lot of offers.”

Tavoris Cloud and Glen Johnson weigh-in for their IBF Light Heavyweight championship showdown in St. Louis

Video by Ed Keenan / EMC Events

Final Press conference for Tavoris Cloud IBF Light Heavyweight title defense against Glen Johnson

Video: Ed Keenan/Emc Events