England's Lee Purdy, the number four rated IBF welterweight contender, is set to face IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander in place of Kell Brook who had to withdraw from the May 18 bout against Alexander at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey after suffering a foot injury. The bout will be telecast live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® along with Lamont Peterson vs. Lucas Matthysse as the main event.
"We look forward to Devon facing a formidable opponent in the U.K.'s Lee Purdy," said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "We have a great card for fans in Atlantic City and those watching at home on SHOWTIME and it will be an exciting night for everyone on May 18th."
St. Louis' Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KO's) is a master boxer who has already won world titles in two divisions despite being only 25 years old. Alexander is the former IBF and WBC world title holder at 140 pounds, with wins over Lucas Matthysse, Juan Urango and Junior Witter to his name. In 2012, "The Great" made his move to welterweight and by the time he was finished defeating former World Champions Marcos Maidana and Randall Bailey, he was crowned the IBF Welterweight World Champion.
Fighting out of Colchester, Essex, Lee "Lights Out" Purdy (20-3-1, 13 KO's) has amazed British fans by sailing to the top of the welterweight division despite having no amateur career. A pro since 2006, the 25-year-old brings a knockout streak into his first world title fight, having finished off four consecutive opponents, including longtime contender Cosme Rivera in March.
Peterson vs. Matthysse is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will air live on SHOWTIME at 9:15 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue which will air at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. In the co-main event, Devon Alexander faces off against Lee Purdy for Alexander's IBF Welterweight World Championship. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
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