By Allan Fox: According to an e-mail sent from Devon Alexander’s trainer Kevin Cunningham, Alexander will be challenging IBF welterweight champion Randall Bailey on September 8th. The venue still hasn’t been ironed out, but one can imagine that it will take place in Alexander’s home city of Saint Louis, Missouri due to the huge crowds that Alexander is able to attract there.

Bailey, 37, recently captured the International Boxing Federation 147 pound title with a stunning 11th round knockout win over previously unbeaten Top Rank promoted Mike Jones on June 9th of this month. Bailey was trailing in the fight when he knocked Jones down with a hard right hand in the 10th. In the 11th round, Bailey once again went back to his right hand and was able to send Jones down on the canvas. This time Jones couldn’t beat the count and Bailey won the vacant IBF title.

Alexander, a previous IBF and WBC light welterweight champion, looked sensational in defeating Marcos Maidana last February in a one-sided 10 round decision. If there’s any criticism that you can make for Alexander’s performance it’s that he chose to clinch too much, and that really took away from his win. Hopefully, Alexander doesn’t choose to clinch Bailey as often because it’s difficult to watch when a fighter clinches 10 times per round.

Bailey will likely have problems with Alexander’s speed and boxing ability. However, Bailey will be a threat for as long as it lasts due to his huge right hand power. He’s clearly the biggest puncher in the welterweight division. Bailey has to let his hands go a little more if he wants to win this fight.