Devon Alexander / Photo © Marty Rosengarten / Ringsidephotos.com

View full size photo »

Michael Nelson takes a look at Devon Alexander, Timothy Bradley and the exciting 140lb class.

So it can be done. For the first time, a fighter displayed enough toughness and discipline to beat Juan Urango without stinking the joint out. And not only beat him, but knock him out with a punch that was clearly practiced tirelessly during preparation - an uppercut, delivered perfectly by Devon Alexander, that put the 140 pound division on notice. An exclamation point to a performance that highlighted the strengths of one of the men leading a vibrant and young weight class.

The other, of course, is Timothy Bradley, and both Bradley and Alexander represent the type of multi-dimensional fighter that can remain entrenched among pound for pound discussions for years to come. On Saturday, Alexander beat Urango far more impressively than Ricky Hatton and Andre Berto did before him, replacing spoiling tactics with lateral movement and combination punching.

While he got nailed with a handful of sweeping right hooks, he kept his composure and displayed a sturdy chin along with steely determination. The strategy paid off in spades; he didn't just get the expected win, he sold himself to fans as an explosive fighter worth watching every time out.

This is what the public should be clamoring for. A pugilist who looks to win and satisfy the customer.

Marcos Maidana, Victor Ortiz, Nate Campbell, Amir Khan, and Lamont Peterson are among a batch that makes the division full of them. With a volatile mix of fan friendly styles and talent, pull two names out of a hat and it's bound to be an excellent match-up. Timothy and Devon have plenty of options besides each other.

But that doesn't mean a fight between the two prodigies should wait.

After all, years ago, when Jr. Welterweight was considered to be perhaps the top weight class in boxing, Bob Arum had the idea of Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather cleaning out the division before facing each other in a superbout. It never happened and likely never will.

In a sport where parched promotional ties and overdone negotiations rule the day, all too often a marinated product ends up spoiled. Bradley and Gary Shaw have embarked on an ambitious schedule the last few years, but can Don King, notorious for leaving fighters shelved, be trusted to keep Alexander busy? Building a fight requires both participants to remain prevalent in the boxing fan's mind, so it's best to make the bout sooner rather than later - before one or both are cooled by inactivity, politics, injuries, or losses.

Look no further than a month and a half ago if you want a reason for urgency. The embarrassing negotiations between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao proved that something sensible can quickly become a circus tent of ego and pretension. Pit the lions together before boxing gets in the way of itself.

Nevertheless, both are entering prime years and appear to be dedicated to their craft. That alone provides confidence that they'll continue to lead their division into prominence, and help fill the void left by stars on their way out. The new generation is looking brighter by the day.

e-mail Michael Nelson