Biography
Alexander grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood of north St. Louis, in an area described as downtrodden, rough, gang- and drug-infested.[1] Alexander joined the boxing gym that Kevin Cunningham, a former police officer turned trainer, founded in the basement of an old police station.[2]
Thirty kids joined the boxing program of Cunningham, who had hoped to keep the kids out of trouble. A stablemate of Alexander's, Cory Spinks would become welterweight champion but at least eight are dead. A dozen have been arrested, including Alexander's older brother Vaughn, a once promising prospect currently serving an 18-year prison sentence for robbery
Amateur career
Alexander had an outstanding amateur career, compiling a record of 300-10 under the tutelage of Cunningham. He was a four-time Silver Gloves champion from ages 10–14; three-time PAL national champion; Junior Golden Gloves and Junior Olympics national champion; 2003 United States national champion in the 19-and-under division; and 2004 United States light welterweight national champion. Alexander made it to the final round of the 2004 Olympic trials, where he battled Rock Allen to a draw and was knocked down once before losing on a tie-breaker
Professional career
At age 17, Alexander made his professional debut, defeating Vincent Torres by first round technical knockout in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan.[4] He was victorious in his second pro fight against Karl Hunter before on February 5, 2005, Alexander defeated Donovan Castaneda by unanimous decision in front of 22,370 spectators, the second-largest crowd in history to witness a boxing event in an indoor arena at the Savvis Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Alexander’s mentor, Cory Spinks, headlined the card opposing Zab Judah.[5]
Alexander won his next five fights before on July 8, 2006, at the Savvis Center in St. Louis, Missouri, Alexander defeated Tyler Ziolkowski by first round technical knockout to win the WBC Youth welterweight title, but was himself knocked down once in the fight.[5]
On January 6, 2007, Alexander defeated Maximinio Cuevas by fourth round technical knockout at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. In his next fight, Alexander fought Scott Ball on March 2, 2007, at the Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Belterra, Indiana. Alexander was down in the second round himself but broke Ball's jaw in round six and dropped him twice in round seven en route to a technical knockout victory.[5]
He won his next two fights against Marcus Luck and Cory Peterson before he went up against former WBO junior welterweight champion DeMarcus Corley on January 19, 2008, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Alexander easily defeated Corley by unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBC Continental Americas junior welterweight title.[6]
On August 1, 2009, Alexander defeated Junior Witter by eighth round due to RTD 8 to claim the vacant WBC light welterweight championship. Witter gave up on his stool claiming that that he had re-injured his left hand. Alexander was hurt by a right hand in round 2, All three judges had Alexander ahead at the time of the stoppage 79-73, 79-73, 80-72.
Alexander was next scheduled to face two-time champion Juan Urango of Colombia in a title unification bout. The 6 March 2010 bout was held at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut and was televised on HBO's "Boxing After Dark" telecast.[2] To train for the fight, Alexander used a Las Vegas house lent by promoter Don King as training base.[3] Devon Alexander defeated Juan Urango by TKO in round 8. Alexander threw an uppercut which dropped Urango. Urango made the count but Alexander resumed his attack and threw a hook to Urango's temple which again dropped him. Urango stood up but was clearly dazed, resulting in a stoppage by the referee. Urango, who suffered his first KO defeat, called out Timothy Bradley after the fight, but a fight was never made because Bradley just moved up to welterweight.
In his next fight he faced Andreas Kotelnik, the former WBA Light Welterweight champion, in his hometown of St. Louis Missouri on 7 August in front of members of the St. Louis Rams, Evander Holyfield and Floyd Mayweather.[7] Alexander won the fight by a controversial unanimous decision with all judges scoring the fight 116-112.
On October 22, 2010, Alexander was stripped of the IBF Junior Welterweight title for not fighting the no. 1 contender, Kaizer Mabuza.
Alexander's next fight, on January 29, 2011, took place against Timothy Bradley, which he lost via 10th round TD after an unintentional head-butt forced a stop to the bout
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