For those seeking a glimpse at the pure release of bliss that emanates from an athlete who has just reached a lifelong goal, it was on display inside the sold out arena at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California last Saturday evening.
The national television audience watching on Showtime saw it too: local junior welterweight Devon Alexander “The Great” smiling and tapping the green WBC world title belt strapped across his chest with trainer Kevin Cunningham’s arm wrapped around his shoulder and their crew repeating “All your life.”
Just a couple of minutes earlier, Alexander’s opponent Junior Witter had been sitting silently on his stool after round eight, looking like a tired and frustrated man emotionally sinking in quicksand. He would rise and cross the canvas’ great divide and put his arms around Alexander, conceding defeat like a politician who had just watched the early returns and knew the campaign was over.
The slickster Witter had been out-slicked by his younger, hungrier counterpart from the opening bell, with Alexander ducking under an overhand grenade lobbed at the 1:51 mark, sending Witter tumbling forward into a somersault. I’m guessing the game plan drawn up by Cunningham included patience in dealing with the defensive-minded Witter, and the notes I took on fight night frequently mentioned Alexander’s speed and pinpoint combinations.
But there were also some very effective power punches scored by “The Great”, including a right hook with ten seconds left in round two that buckled his veteran foe and a thunderous left hand that twisted Witter’s neck like a corkscrew midway through the fifth.
I was scratching my head as a graphic appeared on the bottom of the screen shortly before that cross landed, as one member of press row had the score even through four. But it soon became clear after the sixth that the gap was widening, with Alexander dictating the action inside the ring and Witter’s awkward style leaving much to be desired in the offensive department.
Rounds seven and eight served up more of the same, and as evidenced by what transpired during the break, Witter finally admitted he didn’t have a solution for the determined fighter in front of him.
The title opens doors everywhere for Alexander- boxing’s newest world champion with a mix of talent, temperament and star quality- in the center of a rich division.
Busy summer for Amateur Champions
I returned to the Marquette Rec Center early last week and was greeted by the pair of trainers Joe Dunlap and Danny McGinnist, a St. Louis city sheriff’s deputy who recently returned from the Junior Golden Gloves in Mesquite, Nevada with four national champions. The winners included Joshua Temple (200+ lbs./Wohl Center), James Singleton (189 lbs./NCAA), Julius Butler (154 lbs./Marquette) and Antwan White (132 lbs./NCAA).
Trainers Jim Howell, Willie Temple and Eric Buford joined Coach McGinnist on the trip, and Coach Howell raved about the athletes’ performances as well as their conduct outside the ring representing their home town.
“To know that we were the first team from St. Louis to participate in the national Junior Golden Gloves,” said McGinnist, “and to bring back four champions as the best in the U.S. at that age and weight is very satisfying.”
The memorable showing followed the Title Boxing Tournament earlier this summer, where the Marquette team excelled. The five champions there included Darren Cunningham (70 lbs.), Lawerence Hoby (80 lbs.), Michael Griffin (100 lbs.), Victor Garthwright (154 lbs.) and Julius Butler (165 lbs.).
For now Coach McGinnist is gearing up for the Ringside Tournament this week and the Missouri Black Expo Tournament August 22 & 23.
He said, “I’m looking forward to getting more kids in the gym and directing their attention to boxing instead of being out on the streets.”
“And,” he added, “building champions.”
So far the summer has been successful for Marquette and other area gyms as they look forward to the busy autumn amateur schedule approaching.