By Scott Gilfoid: WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Andre Ward put it upon himself to come to the rescue of newly crowned IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KO’s) to give him some support in light of all the criticism Alexander has been receiving since Saturday after his less than thrilling 12 round unanimous decision over IBF 147 pound champion Randall Bailey. Alexander pretty much played it safe by rarely mixing it up, and mostly focusing on landing jabs and single shots rather than letting his hands go like he normally does.

Ward said on his twitter “A lot of people are down about my bro Devon Alexander’s performance. He did what he had to do. Every fight is not going to look great, especially when you’re fighting a guy that’s just looking for one [big] shot…Give credit where it’s do.”

I completely agree with Mr. Ward. Alexander put on a good performance in making sure he didn’t get brained by one of Bailey’s huge right hands. I mean, Alexander would have been foolish if he had stood and fought toe-to-toe with Bailey the way that some boxing fans wanted Alexander to do. Only a fool would have fought like that because Bailey’s right hand power is the best in the welterweight division bar none.

Bailey may not be one of the busiest of fighters nor one of the best boxers, but if he hits you cleanly with one of his huge right hands, you’re going to have problems. Alexander wasn’t about to take that chance, so he boxed carefully and with great intelligence in winning a beautiful decision. I was proud of him.

Now the question is whether his mandatory challenger Kell Brook will agree to fight Alexander in the U.S or if Brook will give up his right to fight him because he can’t get Alexander to come to the UK and fight there. I don’t see Alexander or his promoters at Golden Boy letting Alexander fight Brook in the UK, not after what we saw happen to Carson Jones when he fought Brook over there.

I’m sorry but Brook is going to have to fight Alexander in the United States or not at all. That’s how it’s going to be and that’s how it should be. I can see Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn having Brook pass on the fight, because Brook will be out of his league if he comes to the U.S to fight. It’ll be an easy stay busy fight for Alexander and nothing more than that. There won’t be any controversy if Brook comes over because Alexander will win so decisively.