By Jason Kim: WBC light welterweight champion Devon Alexander (21-0, 13 KO’s) needs to really raise his game a couple of notches if he wants to come out on top in his big fight next month against WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (26-0, 11 KO’s) on January 29th at the Silverdome, in Pontiac, Michigan. This is going to be the biggest test of the young 23-year-old Alexander’s career and he may not be mature enough to pass it.

Bradley is older than Alexander at 27, and in the prime of his career, whereas Alexander is still rising and getting better and better. Bradley is probably about as good as he’s going to get right now, and he’s very hard to beat because of his age and talent. Alexander really needs more seasoning and fights against quality opposition like his last opponent Andriy Kotelnik. Alexander had problems in beating Kotelnik in August, and had to be content with winning a 12 round decision.

It looked to many boxing fans like Alexander and Kotelnik had fought to a draw. That’s not a bad thing necessarily because it at least gave Alexander and idea of what he needs to work on if he wants to keep getting better as a fighter. What we learned in that fight is that Alexander is vulnerable to the jab and is easily hit with counter punches. He needs to focus more on using head movement and covering up when throwing shots. Right now, Bradley would likely easily beat Alexander if he fights the same way he did against Kotelnik.

Who knows, though? Alexander and his trainer may have studied the tape from the Kotelnik fight, fixed the problems and will be prepared for Bradley next month. I kind of doubt it, but there is a possibility. Alexander’s best bet is to load up on his shots as much as possible and try to take Bradley out. Bradley has great skills, but he’s capable of being hurt. That’s where Alexander needs to focus.