Don King is back: Alexander-Matthysse, Bundrage-Powell and Cloud-Mack previews

By Boxing News - 06/24/2011 - Comments

Image: Don King is back: Alexander-Matthysse, Bundrage-Powell and Cloud-Mack previewsBy Peter Wells: Tomorrow night Don King at the age of 79 is still doing business and has set up another great show. Unfortunately IBF Cruiserweight champ Guillermo Jones won’t be fighting on the card but that doesn’t mean we’re not in for a treat.

First off is a clash of two rivals who’ll step back in the ring together 6 years after their first clash. Last time out IBF Light Middleweight champ Cornelius Bundrage was knocked out by the then unbeaten Sechew Powell in one round. Since then nothing has really happened for Powell and despite winning an eliminator for this very title he’ll challenge for, the shot never came. But by avenging his defeat to Deandre Latimore this time the IBF have given Powell his shot at the title.

But Bundrage was the same, he really hasn’t got anyway far since that defeat, and another knockout defeat to Joel Julio seemed to end his chance of ever getting to a world title. Then in 2010 after a no contest with Yuri Foreman, Bundrage got a shot at the IBF belt. Cory Spinks was the victim of a 5th round knockout. Now nearly a year later he makes his first defence.

At 32 Sechew is the younger fighter but i feel that Bundrage knows he can’t afford to lose this title and should get through some rough patches before cruising to a unanimous victory.

The next fight on my list is Tavoris Cloud’s IBF Light Heavyweight title defence against the tough Yusaf Mack. This is Cloud’s 3rd defence of his title and despite early promise the unbeaten 29 year old hasn’t been a star so far and many don’t believe he’s yet up there with Hopkins or Dawson.

After winning a war with Clinton Woods for the vacant title the ripped Tavoris set his eyes on the top dogs at 175lbs. He then beat Glen Johnson in a close fight while the Jamaican thought he deserved the victory. His next victory over Fulgencio Zuniga was a huge disappointment. Zuniga had previously been stopped by both Kelly Pavlik and Lucian Bute while Cloud was unable to stop him, although he was floored twice.

His opponent though hasn’t shown much promise himself but after losing to Librado Andrade he moved up to Light Heavyweight where he settled in beating both Daniel Judah and Chris Henry. But then in a title eliminator he was knocked out by Glen Johnson in 6 tiring rounds. But then after beating Otis Griffin in March he has got a shot at the title.

Though Mack will give Cloud a decent fight i can’t see him being able to outgun the champion. I believe that Cloud will give him a war in which Yusaf won’t be able to keep up and Cloud will stop him in the final third.

Finally comes Devon Alexander’s comeback fight with the dangerous Lucas Matthysse. This is Devon’s chance to prove he’s still got it and that he does still live with the likes of Khan and Bradley.

After a poor display against Tim Bradley the St Louis fighter has had to deal with a lot of criticism. And by picking the danger man a win will bring back a few fans. His win over Juan Urango was what bought him into the top level and he showed he can fight puncher’s and come out on top.

Matthysse has knocked out all but two of his opponent’s including ‘Chop Chop’ Corley in his last outing. But doubt was raised about his talent when being piped by Zab Judah. It was a risk by Zab and one that payed off and i’m sure that Devon would love to get one over his rival. I call them rivals due to the comments that Judah made after Alexander’s win over Urango, since then Judah has jumped ahead of Devon getting himself Alexander’s old title and a shot at Amir Khan.

If Alexander is to gain back respect from the fans he will have to put out a performance, but Lucas won’t make that an easy task. Despite the danger surrounding this fight i see Alexander enjoying this fight and after a few rounds he will feel at home using smart movement and that powerful uppercut to pick off the Argentinean. I expect Matthysse to last till the distance but Devon will have his hand raised at the end.



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