Devon Defends Title
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“This is pretty sweet.” – Missouri quarterback James Franklin, after the Tigers defeated Texas A&M to win INSIDE the SEC East title and M-I-Z-Z-O-U, y’all advance to Saturday’s SEC Championship Game Sports ~ See ‘Claib’s Call page B4 ~ B3 DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2013 IN THE CLUTCH With Ishmael H. Sistrunk See story video at www.stlamerican.com Brawl in Brooklyn Alexander and Bika defend belts on Showtime Championship Boxing As IBF Welterweight Champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (25-1, 14KO) puts on the finishing touches of preparation for his bout, his trainer Kevin Cunningham looks on with a watchful eye. The stereo blares bass-heavy music from Rick Ross, and the gym is filled with the pitter-patter of punching bags. Yet Alexander’s focus and determi- nation might lead you to believe he and his trainer are alone in a quiet, empty gym. Beaded perspiration clings Photo by Wiley Price tightly to Alexander’s brow St. Louisan Devon Alexander will defend his International Boxing Federation Welterweight title against undefeated Shawn Ishmael H. until a flurry of punches to Porter on Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Sistrunk his trainer’s mitts sends them flying. With each punch, the champ releases a familiar grunt. The speed, quickness and precision are all present and in championship form. Still, the champ seems a bit on edge. He’s more than ready to put training camp to bed and get into the ring and hit somebody. Devon defends title n That opponent, “His skills are Shawn Porter of limited, and you Akron, Ohio, isn’t can’t beat me the man Alexander Welterweight champ to face undefeated with limited and most fans skills.” expected to see standing across the ring in his next Shawn Porter on Saturday in Brooklyn – Devon bout. His next Alexander opponent was sup- By Earl Austin Jr. n The 12-round championship record of 22-0-1 with 14 knockouts. He is posed to be a British Of The St. Louis American bout will be featured live on trained by his father, Kenny Porter. Alexander import. Both Kell and Porter actually fought once before as ama- Brook and Amir St. Louisan Devon Alexander will defend his Showtime’s Championship Boxing, teurs, with Alexander winning that fight. Khan danced with Alexander at the negotiat- International Boxing Federation Welterweight beginning at 8 p.m. Central time. Alexander’s manager and trainer Kevin ing table, but neither showed up to the title against undefeated Shawn Porter on Cunningham foresees a similar outcome as prom. The Brook bout fell through due to a Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Devon continues to make his way at 147 series of pre-fight injuries. The Khan bout? Brooklyn, N.Y. pounds. The self-proclaimed “King” and his court The 12-round championship bout will be “Shawn Porter is a good, tough, young, management team decided to bypass featured live on Showtime’s Championship making his second title defense. He defeated Lee strong fighter,” he said. “But Shawn Porter is Alexander in hopes of landing a lucrative Boxing, beginning at 8 p.m. Central time. It Purdy on May 18 in Atlantic City in his first going to find out that’s he’s way out of his bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be a co-feature along with another welter- defense. Alexander won the championship in league. And that they bit off more than they “We were ready. We were in camp,” weight bout pitting Zab Judah against Paul Brooklyn on Oct. 20, 2012 when he defeated could chew. That’s going to be crystal clear on Alexander told The American regarding the Malignaggi in a battle of Brooklyn natives. veteran Randall Bailey. Dec. 7.” Alexander (25-1, 14 knockouts) will be Porter comes into Saturday’s fight with a See CLUTCH, B4 CBC’s Jordan PREP BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK Barnett and With Earl Austin Jr. Chaminade’s Jayson Tatum return as two of the top players in the Players to watch St. Louis metro area. Barnett has Prep hoops season underway signed with Texas while The 2013-14 prep basket- with Maryville. guard who returns to lead Class Tatum is ball season is already under- 4 state runners-up. ranked as one way. Here are some of the Sean Clancey (Cardinal of the nation’s players to watch as we embark Ritter): Strong 6’3” swing- Austin Gillmann top players. on a new sea- man with a dangerous mid- (Oakville): Senior 6’11” cen- son on basket- range game. ter who has signed with Saint ball in the St. Louis University. Louis area. Arlando Cook (Madison Prep): Strong 6’8” senior Chaz Glotta (Fort Darius who will lead Bears’ bid for Zumwalt North): The area’s Austin another state title. leading scorer in 2013. Signed (Cahokia): with Southern Illinois. Senior 6’6” Armon Fletcher swing who has (Edwardsville): Senior 6’6” Jordan Goodwin Earl signed with forward who has signed with (Althoff): Talented 6’2” Austin Jr. UMKC. Southern Illinois. freshman who is already mak- ing an impact this season. Jordan Barnett (CBC): Donovan Franklin Athletic 6’7” forward who has (O’Fallon): Junior 6’6” for- Brandon Hollins signed with Texas. ward who led Panthers to (Jennings): Talented 6’5” regional title as a sophomore. wing player who averaged 18 Evan Booker points as a junior. (Kirkwood): Versatile 6’6” Gerard Fuller 220-pounder who has signed (Normandy): Strong 6’0” See PREP, B5 Page designed by Mike Terhaar.