Quick Flurries: Johnson/Green - Bradley/Alexander - Kirkland Returning - Echols Still Fighting

With only one round of fights left in the opening stage, former 175lb top dog Glen Johnson has joined Showtime's Super Six fray...

ESPN - Glen Johnson replaces Mikkel Kessler (injury) in Super Six

He said he is not concerned about making the 168-pound weight limit because he has so often weighed in for his 175-pound light heavyweight bouts a few pounds under the limit.

"I typically weigh in at 172 pounds for my light heavyweight fights," he said. "I will have no trouble making the 168-pound limit as a super middleweight."

When the possibility of getting the spot in the tournament came up a few days ago, Johnson said he was going to start working on his weight immediately, even before his entrance was official.

We've seen several veteran fighters miss weight in recent years, but Johnson has always been the consummate pro and perhaps he knows his body well enough to confidently move down to 168.  But even if he makes the weight, will he still feel strong when he steps between the ropes?  Given the fact Johnson weighed in at 192 (according to HBO's unofficial scale) on fight night against Tavoris Cloud, this kind of dry-out has to be a concern for the 41 year old veteran.

Boxing Fanhouse - Tim Bradley: 'I Will Sign the Contract' to Fight Devon Alexander

WBO junior welterweight champion Tim Bradley of Palm Springs, Calif., told FanHouse moments ago that he will sign the fight contract "over the next couple of days" agreeing to terms for a Jan. 29 , HBO-televised unification bout with southpaw WBC and IBF counter part Devon Alexander of St. Louis, Mo.

"I've got the contract, and I'm going to be signing it over the next couple of days. Finally, now everything is pretty much ready. I'm happy about this fight. Even though I feel like I'm taking this fight on short money, I still want this fight," said Bradley, who is 26-0, with 11 knockouts.

Good news, but probably best to wait until it's actually official before getting too excited.

Boxing Scene - James Kirkland Could Face Raines, Sierra or Findlay Next

Among the three opponents being considered for Kirkland, who has not fought since March, 2009 when he stopped Joel Julio, are 24-year-old Delray Raines (18-8-1, 13 KOs) of Paris, Ark., 22-year-old Francisco Sierra (23-3, 21 KOs) of Mexico, or 26-year-old Derrick Findlay (17-3, 11 KOs) of Gary, Ind. Raines is the leading candidate.

Raines has been blown out twice in the last year, but obviously Kirkland isn't going to be matched tough in his first bout back from his law enforced break.  As Sierra has been campaigning at 168, one can assume he's likely not in the running.

Fightnews.com - Spina to face Echols now

Three-time world title challenger Antwun "Kid Dynamite" Echols has replaced "Sucra" Ray Oliveira as Joey "KO Kid" Spina’s opponent for Saturday night’s main event on the "Last Man Standing" card in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

Once a worthy foe for Bernard Hopkins, Echols has nothing left but the willingness to step in and take punishment for a paycheck.  It's a sad situation.

e-mail Andrew Fruman