Former two-division world champion feeling confident after dominating win over Walter Castillo after a 25-month absence from the ring; willing to fight welterweight champions Keith Thurman, Errol Spence Jr. or other top 147-pounders.
Devon Alexander and career-long trainer Kevin Cunningham are planning a January tune-up fight following Tuesday’s victory over Walter Castillo before targeting Errol Spence, Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and other top 147-pounders.
Alexander (27-4, 14 KOs) ended a 25-month ring absence at The Coliseum in St. Petersburg, Florida with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Castillo (26-5-1, 19 KOs). Alexander floored the veteran from Nicaragua with a right uppercut-straight left combination in the second-round on his way to a victory via scores of 96-93, and, 100-89 twice.
The win over Castillo, with Clearwater, Florida native Thurman sitting ringside, was Alexander’s first since beating Jesus Soto Karass in June 2014, and his most significant since his 147-pound debut against Marcos Maidana in 2012.
“This fight was about getting two years of rust off and back into the groove,” Cunningham said. “I’d like to bring him right back in late January, and then fight Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Errol Spence – any one of them.”
“The Great” improved to 4-3 with one knockout since defeating Maidana, and enduring a years-long opioid addiction. Alexander rebounded from a career-low in October 2015 — a unanimous decision loss to Aaron Martinez.
“Whoever Kevin says to fight, I’m there. I don’t shy away from opponents,” said Alexander, 30. “If Kevin says ‘Let’s fight this guy or that guy,’ I’m gonna say ‘Let’s go, I’m coming, when you want me in camp?’”
“ Thurman was talking crazy two years ago about whoopin' me or something. I didn’t care that he was there. I’d fight him any day. ” Former World Campion Devon Alexander on fighting Keith Thurman
Thurman could return against an undetermined opponent as early as February or March, with an eye toward a rematch with Porter, whom he beat by unanimous decision in a “Fight of the Year’’ contender in June 2016. Thurman then won a split-decision over Garcia in a title unification match in March.
“One we haven’t faced yet is Danny Garcia,” said Cunningham. “Devon’s fought Porter and Amir Khan. We can do rematches with them later, but Danny Garcia’s more appealing.”
Alexander agreed: “Garcia’s perfect and makes sense. I’d like to get a few good wins under my belt before I go back to rematches with Khan and Porter.”
Spence has a January 20 defense against two-division title-winner Lamont Peterson.
“If everybody else is scared of Errol Spence, then we’ll deal with him,” said Cunningham. “I’d like to get Devon another fight in, and then, come early summer, it don’t matter who it is.”
“[Thurman] was talking crazy two years ago about whoopin' me or something,” said Alexander, who consecutively faced Porter, Jesus Soto Karass, Khan and Martinez.
“I didn’t care that he was there. I’d fight him any day. I was focused on looking good, doing my thing. As long I keep winning, we’ll meet anyway.”
For a complete look at Alexander vs Castillo, visit our fight page
