DEVON ALEXANDER “THE GREAT”

DEVON ALEXANDER “THE GREAT”

Undefeated World Boxing Council Continental Americas Super Lightweight Champion
And Former World Boxing Council Youth Welterweight Champion
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on Feb. 10, 1987
Height: 5’ 8 ½” – Weight: Super Lightweight (140)
Record: 14-0, 8 KOs



There is no stretching of the truth when Devon Alexander was said to be a boxing child prodigy or that he grew up in the sport. At age 7, Devon’s older brothers Lamar, 12, and Vaughan, 8, ventured across the street from a basketball court they were playing on in St. Louis to go inside Kevin Cunningham’s Hyde Park boxing gym. All three would go on to box professionally.



“My gym was in the basement of an old police station in Hyde Park, one of the highest crime districts in the city at that time,” Cunningham said. Serving as a police officer in St. Louis’s fifth district at the time, Cunningham would know such a things.

“It turned out to be a good thing for the Alexander brothers, Cory Spinks and all the kids in the program because it kept them off of the streets. As a boxer, I always knew Devon was special.”

Soon after the Alexander brothers had begun learning the basics of the art of pugilism, St. Louis and boxing royalty walked in the gym one day in the form of Spinks. Cory had left the sport of boxing after his beloved brother died, but Cunningham had seen him around town and kept nudging him to stop by his gym.

Spinks returned to the sport under Cunningham’s tutelage and became an instant role model to the other boxers at the gym, especially Devon.

“Cory and Devon connected from day one,” Cunningham said. “They hit it off. Devon followed Cory around like a puppy dog at first and Cory looked after him. They were like brothers from the start.

“Devon was always excited about learning. He loves to train. The more you push him the harder he works. You don’t have to baby-sit him. I had several kids with a lot more natural talent than Devon. The difference between them and him was Devon had a tremendous work ethic. He eats, drinks, sleeps boxing. That’s the difference. If anything, you have to slow him down.’’

Devon went on to become one of the most celebrated amateur boxers in the country. He won every title available in St. Louis before amassing a staggering list of national championships.

Alexander was the four-time Silver Gloves national champion from age 10 to 14; three-time Police Athletic League national champion; 2001 Junior Golden Gloves national champion and Junior Olympic national champion before moving on to win the World Junior Olympics where he was also named Best Boxer; and 2003 U.S. National Champion for those 19 and under.

He won the U.S. National Championship in 2004 in the 141-pound junior welterweight division and was invited to join the U.S. National Team where he was victorious in duel meets against Sweden, England, Puerto Rico and others. He sailed through the Olympic trials before facing Rock Allen in the finals. In a controversial match where Cunningham said Alexander was “robbed,” the computer scoring had ended in a 15-15 draw. A punch-count tally was used to break the tie, and Allen was declared champion.

After over 300 wins against only 10 losses in the amateur ranks, Alexander, barely 17 and still just a junior at Vashon High School in St. Louis, turned pro on May 20, 2004.

The following year, the 2-0 teenager took part in boxing history. He defeated Donovan Castaneda by unanimous decision in front of 22,370 spectators, the second-largest crowd in history to witness a boxing event in an indoor arena at Savvis Center in St. Louis. Alexander’s mentor, Cory Spinks, headlined the card opposing Zab Judah.

Alexander had been quiet—not to mention awestruck—during the media frenzy leading up to the history-making card. After his victory, he opened up a little bit.

“I did not really feel any pressure fighting in front of all these people in my hometown,” the southpaw said. “I am a tad disappointed with my performance.

“No excuses, but truth is, I had to pace myself a little and I was trying to get some air. This was my first six-round fight and I got a little tired in the fifth and sixth rounds. But I learned a lot in there. He was a strong guy and seemed way bigger than I was. But everything is cool. I know you can’t knock out everybody. Down the line, going six rounds will be a good thing for me.”

Still a senior in high school but with enough credits to graduate, Alexander was able to make arrangements at Vashon to send in his homework from Las Vegas where trained with Spinks for a month prior to the event.

“I wanted to get the ceremony,” Alexander said. “I wanted to graduate with my friends. Education is very important to me. Boxing can’t last forever. If I have an education, I can do other things.”

After running his record to 8-0, Alexander was again fighting at home with Spinks on Don King’s Gateway to Glory card at Savvis Center on July 8, 2006, featuring Cory’s successful move up to 154 pounds to dethrone then-International Boxing Federation junior middleweight champion Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin.

Alexander, too, moved up in competition by taking on an 8-3 fighter in Tyler Ziolkowski, who had been in the ring with some notable opponents. The pair had earned the right to vie for the World Boxing Council youth welterweight title, designed for those 23 years old and younger.

“Cory is the king of St. Louis boxing,” Cunningham, who trains and manages both Spinks and Alexander, said. “And basically Devon is the heir-apparent to Cory’s throne. He’s starting to mature into a real pro. It’s a big difference between being and amateur and a pro.”

Amateur scoring values the number of punches landed, not the damage they do. Many pitter-patter amateurs have their gloves full when they hit the pros.

“That’s why I haven’t had as many knockouts,” Alexander said (with three at the time). “I used to be all flick, flick, flick. But now I’m turning my punches over, keeping my fist balled up all the and punching harder.”

Alexander also benefited from three full months spent in preparation, with Spinks, at Don King’s legendary King Training Camp in rural Ohio just outside Cleveland.

(Photo By: Jill Diamond, WBC Chair)


He shocked Ziolkowski by scoring a technical knockout at just 2:40 of the first stanza.

“He knocked Ziolkowski out with a right hook,” Cunningham said of his southpaw. “That’s a good sign that the work we did in camp, focusing on slowing down and developing his power, is working. He’s sitting down on his punches more and landing power shots.

“That guy [Ziolkowski] fought Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He’s a tough little guy.”

Alexander was pleased as well.

“My winning the WBC Youth Welterweight championship is the just the beginning. It feels good.

“My trainer and I focused on slowing down and turning over my punches so I’ll have more power. I’m still transitioning from amateur to pro but the power is coming.”

Alexander scored a fourth-round technical knockout over Maximinio Cuevas in Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Jan. 6, 2007, before making his first television appearance on SHOWTIME’S popular Sho Box series opposing Scott Ball (8-2) in Belterra Casino and Resort in Indiana on March 2, 2007.

Alexander dominated Ball. In round four, Alexander knocked out Ball’s mouthpiece with a barrage of punches. In the sixth, he broke Ball’s jaw.

In round seven, Alexander scored two knockdowns and Ball was counted out.

Alexander scored another knockout over Marcus Luck in Bridgeport, Conn., on July 7, 2007, and he overwhelmed previously undefeated Cory Peterson (7-0) with a first-round technical knockout in Hoffman Estates, Ill., on Oct. 13, 2007.

Alexander took a huge step in his burgeoning career when he agreed to face DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley for the vacant WBC Continental Americas super lightweight championship.

It was a risky move. Corley was a former World Boxing Organization 140-pound champion and had “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather one punch away from being knocked down and maybe out. He had also faced Zab “Super” Judah, Miguel Cotto, Junior Witter and Jose Alfaro.

If Alexander’s task were not challenging enough, this was a championship match scheduled for 12 rounds when Alexander had never gone past 7 rounds.

“We wanted Chop Chop,” Cunningham said. “We wanted a guy with a name. I’ve told Devon that early in this fight he needs to be on his Ps and Qs because Corley will be dangerous. But by round 6 or 7 Chop Chop is gonna be looking for a doorway to get out of there.’’

Cunningham turned out to be spot on as Alexander dominated Corley from the outset. Alexander sensed early his opponent was not up for his challenge, and he began unloading his arsenal on Corley in an attempt to knock him out.

In the end, Alexander scored a lopsided unanimous decision by scores of 116-111 and 118-109, twice. Alexander, who always feels he can do better, gave constructive thoughts after the fight.


“It felt great to go 12 rounds with a former world champion,” Alexander said. “It was hard because it was my first 12-rounder. I was pressing hard for a knockout in the early rounds but my coach told me to settle down and just do what I do.

“I am ready to do more and I know I will do even better in the future. I want everyone in St. Louis to know that I am coming back with a win and a belt.”

Respected ESPN.com writer Dan Rafael gushed over Alexander in his post-fight commentary:

“Look out, boxing world—here comes Alexander, a skilled fighter with a very bright future. The 20-year-old was impressive and methodical as he scored the best win of his young career by easily handling Corley, a skilled and experienced former titleholder. Alexander did a good job of beating Corley to the punch and racking up points. Although he lost a point in the 12th round for a low blow, it meant nothing, because he had the bout in hand. Alexander is going to be much better after this fight. He learned a lot from Corley and proved to himself he can go 12 rounds, after never having been deeper than seven. If there is one thing Alexander can improve on, it is throwing more combinations. He has the hand speed; he just needs to use it a little more.”

When not in the ring, Alexander, a friendly and out-going person, is also known for his sweet tooth.

“That’s his vice,” Cunningham said. “If you put a cupcake in front of him, oh man!”



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CORY “THE NEXT GENERATION” SPINKS

CORY “THE NEXT GENERATION” SPINKS

Current International Boxing Federation Junior Middleweight Champion
And Former Undisputed World Welterweight Champion
Born on Feb. 20, 1978, in St. Louis, Missouri
Height: 5’ 9½” Weight: Middleweight (160)
Record: 36-4, 11 KOs



How many youngsters can boast that their father and uncle each held world heavyweight titles? The answer is one: Cory Calvin Spinks, the son of former Muhammad Ali nemesis Leon Spinks and Zadie Mae Calvin.



Just five days after Leon Spinks pulled off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history by defeating Ali on Feb. 15, 1978, Cory was brought into the world. Seven years later his uncle, Michael Spinks, pulled off another big upset by defeating the great Larry Holmes to win the International Boxing Federation heavyweight championship.

That is an awful lot to live up to, especially because all of the Spinks were raised in St. Louis. Nearly born in the gym, it was a natural transition for Cory to take up the sweet science.

The youngest of the Spinks fighters did as his father and uncle had done after Don King delivered him the opportunity to become the undisputed world welterweight crown against Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga on Dec. 13, 2003, in Atlantic City, N.J.

Mayorga was one of the hottest fighters in the sport after having destroyed The Ring magazine and Boxing Writers Association of America 2002 Fighter of the Year Vernon “The Viper” Forrest in back-to-back matches in January and July 2003.

Spinks frustrated the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council champion as evidenced by two one-point foul deductions against Mayorga: in round five for hitting after the bell and in round 11 for holding. He also gave the Nicaraguan bomber a boxing lesson that yielded a majority decision that made Spinks the undisputed world welterweight champion. The judges’ scorecards gave Spinks the title by the scores 114-112, 117-110 and 114-114.
He immediately put his titles on the line during his first defense on April 10, 2004, against the lightining-quick and dangerous former world champion Zab “Super” Judah. Spinks controlled the action over the first four rounds with his astute boxing skills. In the later rounds, however, Judah's quick left hands began to find their target. Both men hit the deck late, but all three scorecards favored Spinks as the champion won 116-111 and 114-112 (twice).

"I give Judah credit,” Spinks said after the fight. “He is a great fighter. I was just a better man in the fight. I got a little relaxed in there. I got a little careless and he threw a good shot."
Less than five months later on SHOWTIME, Spinks successfully retained his undisputed world welterweight championship by recording a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over former WBC champion and No. 1 contender Miguel Angel Gonzalez on Sept. 4, 2004, in Las Vegas.

Spinks won by the identical scores of 118-109 and captured 10 of the 12 rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. Unable to solve the champion’s foot speed and quickness, Gonzalez managed to win only the first and ninth rounds. Referee Joe Cortez deducted a point from the challenger for an eighth-round low blow and warned him for additional infractions.
“I am very satisfied,” Spinks said. I dominated the fight. What more could I ask for?”

What his manager and trainer Kevin Cunningham had been asking for was a hometown fight in St. Louis and bid payday. The enormous Savvis Center was available, and the big payday came by agreeing to a re-match with The Superman, Zab Judah.
Spinks could not have known when he signed the contract was that the pressure to win on his home turf would become even stronger when St. Louisans snatched up all 22,370 tickets a full two days prior to the event. The fight now boasted the second-largest audience in history to witness a boxing match at an indoor arena.

Spinks controlled Judah in the early rounds much as he had done in their first contest with his quick stick-and-move style. Judah stalked him relentlessly, forcing a fight on Spinks.

Near the end of round seven, Judah rocked Spinks right at the bell, but referee Armando Garcia ruled it a push. Spinks reeled from Judah’s attack in the eighth but held his ground.

Spinks appeared to be fully recovered in the ninth round when Judah scored again with a long left cross that rattled Spinks before Judah immediately dropped a right hook that dropped the undisputed champion. On unsteady legs, Spinks marched on with Judah stalking his wounded prey. In an amazing act of sportsmanship reflecting the tremendous respect these two fighters had for each other, Judah dropped his hands to his waist, imploring referee Garcia to stop him from further injuring his friend.

Judah said after the fight, “I remember hitting him and I saw his eyes rolling. He kept moving, going with the flow, then I knocked him down, and I looked at the ref for some help. He’s got a wife and family.” Garcia finally halted the beating at 2:49 of the ninth.

Spinks revealed after the fight that for the first time age had conspired to make it impossible for him to make the 147-pound welterweight limit and retain his strength. He also concluded a divorce after the match, the beginnings of were a distraction to him at the time of Judah II.

Spinks and Cunningham took an 18-month break before making the move to 154 pounds. In so doing, they violated a cardinal rule in boxing: moving up in weight without a tune-up fight. They compounded their poor odds by agreeing to face a world champion, who many believed was the best man at 154 pounds, Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin, from Russia. Karmazin had vanquished the highly touted IBF world champion Kassim Ouma in the summer of 2005.

Spinks and Cunningham both wanted the fight to take place in St. Louis.

(“This is about redemption,” Cunningham said and Spinks echoed. “The people of St. Louis didn’t see the best Cory Spinks. Now they will. We owe this to them.”

After burrowing in for a brutal three-month training camp at King’s secluded country training facility outside of Cleveland, Spinks arrived for the match at Savvis Center on July 8, 2006, and said, “You have no idea how much difference seven pounds makes,” in reference to the extra weight he didn’t have to lose this time. He looked bigger, stronger and with no apparent loss in his trademark speed.

King dubbed the event Gateway to Glory, and over 12,000 St. Louisans showed up to root on their hometown hero. The native son did not disappoint them.

Spinks fought from the opening bell as though he was literally fighting for his life. After trading the first two rounds, Spinks won the next three rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. Spinks did this by displaying excellent boxing skills and bravely throwing combinationsled by jabs that were often followed by straight lefts, which arrived so quickly it appeared as though Karmazin didn’t see them coming.

After the fight, Karmazin said it took him until the seventh round to figure Spinks out. By then, it was too late. Even though Karmazin won the seventh round; won two of the three scorecards in the eighth; and split the final three rounds, Spinks won the majority decision. Two judges scored it 115-113 and the remaining judge saw it at 114-114 draw.

In his last appearance, Spinks scored a lopsided unanimous decision win over IBF No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger “Smooth” Rodney Jones on Feb. 3 in Kissimmee, Fla.

“I feel satisfied with my performance tonight,” Spinks said after the fight. “He’s a long, rangy guy so I had to outsmart him. He’s been in the game a long time, a veteran, but I was the superior boxer. I used my athletic talent and smarts to win.

“I want the cash cows. They know who they are: Mosley, De La Hoya, Mayweather, Vargas, Taylor. I’m ready. It just depends on whether they’re ready for me.

Spinks’s trainer Cunningham liked his fighter’s performance.

“I was happy Cory was able to defend his title,” Cunnigham said. “Rodney put on a game performance. We could have made $2 million in another fight but Rodney deserved his shot.
“So know I’m asking the world’s greatest promoter to do what he does and get us out there in a high-profile fight.”

Just three months later, Spinks moved up to middleweight to face WBC and WBO champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor near Taylor’s hometown of Little Rock, Ark., at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., on May 19, 2007.

In against a bigger man, Spinks put on a classic boxing display. He darted in and scored before moving back out of range. He took risks and never paid the price. In the end, it was a superb showing of what boxing purists call The Sweet Science—hit and don’t get hit.

At the end of 12 rounds, it seemed everyone—fans and judges alike—were in disagreement. Some felt it was close, and others thought Spinks or Taylor won by a wide margin. Many thought there was no way that Taylor should be awarded a victory when Spinks boxed so wonderfully. Taylor advocates thought he had landed heavier blows that should mean more.

Rarely have judges been farther apart. Dick Flaherty scored it for Spinks by the wide margin of 117-111, while Gale Van Hoy scored it by the same wide margin for Taylor at 117-111. The third judge broke the deadlock in favor of Taylor by the razor-thin score of 115-113.

“I don't know what to say. It was highway robbery,” Spinks complained after the loss. “I thought I gave a great boxing display.”

Like his world-famous relatives, Spinks became one of the nation’s best amateur boxers, winning a National Golden Gloves championship, two National PAL championships and a National Silver Gloves title. In all, he compiled a 112-8 record before turning pro.

Prior to punching for pay, Spinks played basketball at Beaumont High School but boxing proved to be his calling. Even though his other brothers Leon, Darryl and Steve had boxed, they did not stick with it the way Cory did. Not joining the foursome in the ring was their sister, Vickie.
Under the guidance of Cunningham, Spinks turned pro in 1997, and ran off a string of 13 consecutive victories before suffering a 12-round split decision loss to Antonio Diaz for the International Boxing Association light welterweight title on Dec. 12, 1998.

Undeterred by the loss, Spinks chalked up 16 successive wins and won both the North American Boxing Organization and United States Boxing Association welterweight titles to set up his first world title shot on April 13, 2002.
Following 12 rounds of action, Spinks dropped a controversial decision to Michele Piccirillo in Italy and missed his opportunity to capture the vacant IBF welterweight crown even though many at ringside felt he had won the match. The judges scored the bout 115-112 twice and 116-111.

“It was a terrible loss,” Spinks said. “I know I won that fight. I just thought that they would not give me another chance.”

After the loss, Spinks and Cunningham decided that they would hook up with Don King Productions and see if he could help guide them to another title opportunity.

In his first fight after the loss, Spinks took on former world champion and veteran contender Rafael Pineda in an IBF elimination bout for the No.1 contender position on Aug. 23, 2002, in Miami.

Although the fight ended with Spinks being cut on an unintentional clash of heads, the pride of St. Louis was declared the winner when the scorecards were tallied after the seventh round.

After ascending to the top of the organization’s rankings, Spinks got another shot at the IBF crown and the opportunity to gain a measure of revenge when he fought a rematch against Piccirillo in Campione D’Italia, Italy, on March 22, 2003.

“I was not going to be denied this time,” Spinks recalled. “My trainer Kenny Adams and Kevin [Cunningham] had me ready to go. It was the same site and the same fighter that I had to face. This time it would be different.”

Spinks controlled much of the hard-fought battle by utilizing his impressive boxing skills. At the conclusion of 12 rounds, Al Bennett scored it 117-111, George Stewart had it 117-112, and Judge Luciano Taliamonte tallied it 115-113 for the winner and new IBF welterweight champion, Spinks.

Spinks enjoys spending time with his young daughter, Breanna, and playing basketball and video games at home. He relishes feasting on chicken and crab legs while watching his favorite movie, “Scarface.” When he tears himself away from the tube, Spinks rolls to the sweet sounds of the late rapper Tupac Shakur and other current rappers, many of whom Spinks counts among his close friends.

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DON KING TV.COM PREMIERES; THE PRIDE OF ST. LOUIS; BOXING & SPORTS FANS LINK TO CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS ON THURSDAY MARCH 27, 2008

ST. LOUIS—Promoter Don King has always been one for accomplishing “firsts” in the world of boxing.


The world came to St. Louis and now the World’s Greatest Boxing promoter, Don King will be taking St. Louis to the world as he steps into the future and starts his own television network via the internet at www.donkingtv.com on Thursday, March 27.



King presents a spectacular “Meet Me in St. Louis” championship doubleheader plus several special attractions free to boxing and sports fans worldwide on DonKingTV.com at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT live from the Scottrade Center.

St. Louis boxers Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks and Devon Alexander “The Great” will showcase their talents before their hometown fans in this pioneering extravaganza, “Pride of St. Louis” sponsored by Kelly Oil Co. Inc., Bentley St. Louis, Don King Presents Prizefighter Game on 2K coming June 10th and the Scottrade Center.

Spinks is a world champion, who will be joined by two former Heavyweight Champions, father Leon and uncle Michael Spinks ringside. His protégé Alexander is nearing his first world-title fight. The last time Spinks performed in his hometown, the second greatest attendance in boxing history was established as 22,370 fans were part of sold-out history.

Spinks (36-4, 11 KOs) will defend his International Boxing Federation junior middleweight championship against IBF mandatory challenger Verno Phillips (41-10-1, 21 KOs) in the main event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

A second championship fight pitting undefeated World Boxing Council Continental Americas super lightweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (14-0, 8 KOs) opposing World Boxing Association FEDELATIN super lightweight champion Miguel Callist (24-6-1, 17 KOs) will also be featured during the four-hour webcast as Col. Bob Sheridan will deliver the blow-by-blow call from ringside.

“This is another new and exciting adventure for us,” said Don King. “Like the Gateway to the West, we will be taking St. Louis and this trailblazing fight card worldwide via the internet. Fans will be able to see IBF 154-pount champion Cory Spinks take on Verno Phillips and undefeated 140-pounder Devon Alexander against Miguel Callist. We want as many people as possible to see just how great our technology is, so we’re making four exciting hours of action available free of charge.”

"The Internet continues to be a driving force in revolutionizing how sports are consumed," said Brad Rinklin, vice president of marketing, Akamai Technologies. "Akamai is excited to collaborate with DonKingTV.com to deliver the live streaming for this premiere event, and to help bring this first-of-its-kind Internet channel to the world of boxing."

The webcast will not be available in St. Louis where fans can see the event live and in person at Scottrade Center. Tickets are still available for the night of boxing featuring nine bouts beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Scottrade Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 314-241-1888 for an automated line or 314-421-4400 or 618-222-2900 for sales rep, or online at ticketmaster.com. A per-ticket facility fee will be added to all tickets purchased at all locations, including at the Scottrade Center Box Office. Additional Ticketmaster service charges and handling fees apply. For disabled seating, call 314-622-5420.

Spinks is the former undisputed welterweight champion who won the IBF 154-pound crown won in St. Louis on July 8, 2006, when he won a majority decision over Roman Karmazin. Phillips is a former three-time 154-pound world champion, a native of Belize now fighting out of Denver, Colo.

In his last appearance, Spinks moved up in weight to face then World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor at the FedEx Forum in Memphis on May 19, 2007.

Taylor experienced tremendous difficulty exerting his will over Spinks, who proved he could not only appear against a unified middleweight kingpin, but that he could compete at the weight. He darted within range to land punches and frustrated Taylor with his defensive skills throughout the fight.

It was difficult to find agreement on a winner among ringside observers after the fight concluded its 12 rounds. Rarely in boxing history have the disparities been greater between three judges. Dick Flaherty rewarded Spinks for his consummate boxing skills by the wide margin of 117-111. Gale Van Hoy favored the heavier-handed Taylor by the same score of 117-111. Michael Pernick favored Taylor by one round with a score of 115-113 to break the deadlock.

The road to retaining his junior middleweight crown will be no easier for the 29-year-old Spinks when facing the veteran Phillips, 38, who has won an impressive three world championships in his career, all at the 154-pound limit.

Phillips won his last world title in 2004 but dropped a close decision to Kassim Ouma in his next match.

Phillips has won his last three fights, most notably scoring a technical knockout over Teddy Reid and winning a unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Candelo.

Alexander has been a child prodigy fighting out of the Spinks camp. He made a significant move up in level of opposition in his last appearance, making a strong statement by winning a lopsided unanimous decision over respected former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley to win the WBC Continental Americas super lightweight championship.

Alexander will be in a championship unification match against Callist, who lives in Colon, Panama. At a just-turned 21, Alexander is believed by many boxing experts to be one of the top prospects in the sport. If he can defeat Callist convincingly, Alexander will edge closer to his first world-title fight.

Callist will certainly have the edge in experience. He’s 12 years older at age 33, and he has participated in 31 professional fights to Alexander’s 14. Like Corley, Callist is a southpaw but appears to be on the rise while Corley’s best days are probably behind him.

Callist has only lost once in his last seven matches—to undefeated Marcos Rene Maidana in 2006. In his last appearance, he won a unanimous decision in eight rounds over Charlie Navarro on Aug. 16, 2007.

Pride of St. Louis is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Banner Promotions.

For multi-media event page link, go to http://www.donking.com/events/prideofstlouis/


It's not TV. It's DONKINGTV.COM

Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.

DKP promoted Cory Spinks vs. Zab Judah II: Arch Rivals… Meet Me in St. Louis, which boasted the second-largest attendance for a boxing match at an indoor arena in history when 22,370 patrons sold out the Savvis Center (now known as the Scottrade Center) in advance on Feb. 5, 2005.

DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 15 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including four of the top five: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in the history of the world.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995.

Scottrade Center, located in the heart of downtown St. Louis, is one of the finest sports and entertainment complexes in the country, with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and an unprecedented commitment to quality and service. Opened in 1994, the arena is home to the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club and also features a full range of arena programming, including concerts, ice shows, family shows and other sporting events. The building is operated by Sports Capital Partners, owner of the St. Louis Blues, under the leadership of its chairman, Dave Checketts. For more information, please visit www.scottradecenter.com.
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