By Joseph Herron – In the drama that is boxing, HBO is a network always looking for that elusive American fighter who can transcend boxing and capture the imagination of the casual American fight fan. This Saturday, HBO hopes that they have found that special fighter in American hopeful, Devon Alexander.
The St. Louis native has already won a portion of the jr. welterweight title by defeating the enigma that is Junior Witter by creating angles and effective punching with speed and precision. Devon’s handlers and promoter Don King feel that they have a special fighter. In fact, Don King is affectionately calling his fighter “Alexander the Great”. This Saturday, the southpaw from St. Louis hopes to conquer the always tough Columbian iron-man, Juan Urango.
Before the fight, HBO is planning on airing a background segment of Devon Alexander.. How he came from very humble beginnings and overcame adversity both in and out of the ring. The HBO segment further shows how he has already won the hearts of St.Louis community and was given a key to the city. To the HBO brass, Devon sounds too good to be true. Oddsmakers and most boxing scribes feel that Devon is the clear favorite to win the fight. But, as HBO analyst Larry Merchant likes to state, “Boxing is the theater of the unexpected.” In steps Juan Urango.
Over the last five years, Juan Urango has quietly been a factor in the junior welterweight division winning a version of the title twice. He has been a headliner on HBO twice and has lost to Champions Andre Berto and Ricky Hatton. Could a third opportunity headlining an HBO card be the charm for the granite-chinned Columbian? Most seem to doubt it. Why you ask? Most observers of the sport feel that the speed of Devon Alexander will be too much for Urango to overcome. Are they right? This boxing writer doesn’t think so.
On Saturday, March 6th, Devon Alexander will face the kind of adversity he’s only seen in fight tapes. Alexander feels that this is his “time to shine” and will be able overcome any adversity or problem Juan Urango will present to him. Mike Tyson once said, “Every fighter has a game plan until they get hit.” The 22 year old American champion has a fight plan. Will he continue to have one if and when he gets tagged by the hard punching Columbian? Again, this boxing writer doesn’t think so. Juan Urango is being overlooked by most in the division as a “gatekeeper with a title”. Most boxing scribes don’t give Juan a fighting chance against the elite in the division: Timothy Bradley, Amir Kahn, Nate Campbell, Paulie Malignaggi. Well, this boxing writer thinks most underestimate the quiet toughness of Juan Urango. He hasn’t been a factor in the division for nothing. The man can definitely crack, and in my humble opinion, he will prove to be a real factor this Saturday.