Around the Net: Devon Alexander vs Andriy Kotelnik Edition

Rising star Devon Alexander (138 3/4) takes on tough veteran Andriy Kotelnik (139 1/2) in the main-event of Saturday night's HBO show. Fighting in front of his hometown fans at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, the 23 year old Alexander is a heavy favorite to win the 12 rounder - which should (hopefully) set the stage for a showdown with Timothy Bradley early next year.

Let's take a look at some of the pre-fight buzz from around the net for the junior-welterweight clash...

Bad Left Hook Fight Previews: Alexander-Kotelnik and Cloud-Johnson - Bad Left Hook

But I also admit I groaned when Kotelnik was announced as Devon's opponent. He is credible and is not without talent or anything like that. He's no pushover and he's not a bum. Not even close to that. But I don't see a way, on paper, that he stacks up to what Alexander brings to the table. I don't think Devon will stop him, because Kotelnik got through 12 rounds with Maidana and escaped with a split decision win in February '09, but I do think he'll rout him. Hopefully it'll be a bit more exciting to watch than Khan's easy win, but I wouldn't bank on that either.

The Queensbury Rules - Showcasing A Fighter, Showcasing A Fight: Previews And Predictions For Devon Alexander Vs. Andriy Kotelnik And Tavoris Cloud Vs. Glen Johnson

But Kotelnik is lava running down a volcano where Alexander is the explosion that kicks things off. Slow vs. fast doesn't usually go real well for slow unless slow has a big punch or something else in his back pocket, and Kotelnik doesn't have that. Yes, Kotelnik's technically very sound, with a nice high guard, a good jab, a nice straight right, some compact hooks and counterpunching skill. He's a tough guy with a good chin. But unless Kotelnik has completely overhauled his game at age 32, his style -- block block block, then punch back -- is a nice fat rodent jogging across a stretch of desert with a hawk hovering overhead, that hawk being Alexander.

NYTimes.com - Boxer Devon Alexander Rises Above Streets of St. Louis

Cunningham’s influence is not lost on Devon Alexander. "Kevin’s like a father to me," Alexander said. "Had it not been for him, coming from that neighborhood I’d probably be dead. I walked through fire every day." For his part, Cunningham credits Alexander’s parents, who were one of the few families in the area with a mother and father present. They had 13 children, and although one brother is now incarcerated, none joined a gang. Alexander’s father died in 2004 on the day of Alexander’s second professional fight, which he won by unanimous decision.

The Sweet Science - THE KIMBALL CHRONICLES: Schadenfreude In St. Louis

Spinks makes it a point to refer to Alexander his "little brother" and said he was looking forward to getting his own fight out of the way Saturday night so he could watch his onetime protégé in his moment of glory, but as one longtime observer of the St. Louis fight scene noted, "it’s got to be grating to Spinks to be fighting on Alexander’s undercard. It used to be that Devon fought on his."

ESPN - Devon Alexander's hard work and dedication paying off

As far as fighting at home, especially as a defending champion, Alexander was almost at a loss for words. "Oh, man, it's a great, great, great feeling," Alexander said. "I mean, from coming in on the undercard, fighting first on the undercards of guys that I saw and admired for years, to become a main event at home at Scottrade Center, the biggest arena in St. Louis, I mean, it's a blessing because most people, they don't get an opportunity like I do, coming from where I come from."

The Desert Sun - Timothy Bradley on mind but not Devon Alexander's focus

Stacey McKinney, the trainer for Kotelnik, said he questions Alexander's focus. "I hear all this talk about Devon and Bradley. It seemed like they're overlooking Kotelnik, but I'll tell you what, this is going to be a hard, hard fight for Devon," McKinney said. "So Devon, you just keep thinking about Bradley and overlook this man right here and you'll see who's going to take these belts back home." Alexander said he is not overlooking Kotelnik and respects the rugged former champion. Alexander even praised Kotelnik — while taking another shot at Bradley.