By Dan Ambrose: Argentinian Lucas Matthysse (28-1, 26 KO’s) is taking a big risk by agreeing to face former IBF/WBC light welterweight champion Devon Alexander (21-1, 13 KO’s) in his own home town on Saturday at the Family Arena in Saint Charles, Missouri. Timothy Bradley wanted no part of fighting Alexander in Missouri and the two had to settle for a fight at the Pontiac Silverdome, in Pontiac, Michigan last January. Alexander fought poorly in the last four rounds of the fight and couldn’t continue after a clash of heads in the 10th.

Andriy Kotelnik found out the hard way how difficult it is to beat Alexander when he’s fighting in his home town when he was beaten by a 12 round unanimous decision last year by the scores of 116-112 by all three judges despite many boxing fans seeing Kotelnik as the better fighter on that night. I saw the fight and had Kotelnik winning it, but if I were to give some mercy rounds to Alexander I would consider the bout a draw. But no way could I have given Alexander the win. But this shows you that Matthysse may have to literally knock Alexander out on Saturday night in order to get a win. It’s sad when it sometimes takes that kind of effort to get a victory but I think it really will take some kind of monumental performance from Matthysse for him to be given a ‘W’ tomorrow night.

Matthysse looked great in his last fight against DeMarcus Corley, knocking him down eight times in an 8th round TKO loss. In his fight before that, Matthysse lost a questionable decision against Zab Judah in a fight in which Matthysse dominated the last eight rounds of the fight. Matthysse started late by coasting in the first four rounds but then turned it on in the 5th round on.

Alexander has looked horrible in his last two fights against Kotelnik and Bradley. Those fights go to show you that Alexander may not be as good as a lot of boxing fans originally thought he was.