The 25-year-old Alexander (23-1, 13KOs) was in control from start to finish and took the bout handily on the judges’ cards by scores of 99-91, 100-90, and 100-90. It was a somewhat surprising result considering the power Maidana possesses in his fists and the recent struggles Alexander had with Andriy Kotelnyk, Bradley and Lucas Matthysse.
The 28-year-old Maidana (31-3, 28 KOs) is the WBO Jr. Welterweight Champion (140 lbs.), but his title wasn’t on the line in this 10-round bout as it was fought at welterweight (147 lbs.). It was the first fight in the division for Maidana and the first in 10 bouts for Alexander. The added weight suited Alexander better and he’ll likely remain in the division now while Maidana said he’d rather go back to Jr. Welterweight.
Alexander boxed well and displayed good speed while landing numerous right hooks throughout the fight. Maidana, as he always does, kept coming forward, but was never able to land any clean, hard shots that did any damage. Maidana started the fight well, but Alexander soon figured out the best way to handle him and quickly took control. Neither fighter appeared to be hurt during the bout, but Maidana did drop to the canvas in the sixth round after getting nailed by a left to the body, but referee Steve Smoger ruled it a slip as Alexander pulled him down after landing the punch.
After the fight, Alexander said he was a lot more comfortable back at at welterweight and he wants to stay there and continue to learn. Maidana admitted that Alexander was faster and said the extra seven pounds slowed him down a little.
Also on the card, undefeated 22-year-old WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Adrien Broner (23-0, 19KOs) of Cincinnati successfully defended his title with a fourth-round knockout over previously unbeaten Eloy Perez (23-1-2, 7KOs) of Salinas, California. Broner landed a solid right hand flush to Perez’s face that send him towards the canvas and then landed another right as he was on the way down. The 25-year-old Perez tried to get to his feet twice, but fell right back down to the mat. Referee Genaro Rodriguez put a halt to the bout at the 2:24 mark of the round.
Broner said his speed and technique was just too much for Perez to handle, and he proved it during the fight. Perez entered the bout undefeated, but with just seven knockouts on his record. He didn’t have the power and strength to keep Broner off of him and never got into a rhythm. Broner was able to land hurting left hooks, straight right hands, and several uppercuts during the short bout, while Perez didn’t really land anything of significance.
Written by Ian Palmer via FeedCrossing
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