We are 15 days away from witnessing one of the biggest professional boxing cards ever seen in St. Louis. The atmosphere is building as fight night approaches. The lists of celebrities who are starting to talk about attending this fight grows each time promoter Don King opens his mouth to shout, “It’s a Lou thang!”
The night of Saturday, Aug. 7 will be one that boxing fans in St. Louis will be discussing for a long time when “The Showdown” finally arrives. That is when WBC and IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Devon Alexander “The Great” makes his return to St. Louis to face Andres Kotelnik. It will be more than just a homecoming for Alexander. It will also be his official coming out party to the rest of the country as his fight will be televised nationally on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.
The Alexander-Kotelnik bout highlights a show that features three world championship fights. It will also mark the return of Corey “The Next Generation” Spinks, who is back home for the first time since winning his junior middleweight title last year.
St. Louis boxing fans will also get an opportunity to see Hall of Fame boxing trainer and HBO announcer Emmanuel Stewart., who will make his first appearance in St. Louis besides changing planes in the airport.
This fight is starting to take on a more interesting matchup than one might think. Kotelnik is a tough SOB who has logged more ring time than Alexander, having fought 150 amateur fights and compiling a 135 – 15 record. In addition, the Ukrainian fighter, who lives in Hamburg, Germany is a confident fighter who is looking forward to coming to St. Louis to spoil the homecoming.
Kotelnik also has a trainer in his corner who is worth the price of admission. He is none other than the legendary Stacey McKinley who has trained a host of top notch fighters throughout the years, including “Iron” Mike Tyson. The pair has plans to come into St. Louis and spoil the party for the hometown champ.
“We’re coming to St. Louis to win the championship,” said McKinley in a recent interview from one of Don King training facilities in a remote part of Ohio. “We are going to embarrass him in the ring. Devon never has been in the ring with someone like Kotelnik.
“He hasn’t been in a real fight yet. When we get through with him, he’ll be putting the belts around Andreas looking for a rematch. Were coming to St. Louis all business with class like we’ve been in a real fight before. We’re coming to his backyard to kick his (rear).”
OOOH WEEEE! That’s what I’m talking about! The man is not coming to dance, he’s coming to FIGHT!
Stacey McKinley is known around boxing circles as one of the best in the business, often training fighters and allowing others to be in the corner on fight night to get the credit. But, he puts in the dedicated work were it counts most, which is the gym.
Known as “The Crocodile,” he has worked with many of boxing’s great fighters including Ray Mercer Tyson. McKinley was a vital part of Team Tyson during the glory days of Tyson’s domination of the heavyweight division. In Kotelnik, McKinley feels he has an excellent shot at beating the champ in his own back yard in front of all the stars and a national television audience as well.
Kotelnik beat Gavin Rees in March of2008 and defended his title twice before losing to Golden Boy’s prize Junior Welterweight Amir Khan in July of ’09. Khan is currently running from Alexander like a chicken trying to avoid the pressure cooker.
So, this fight is starting to take on a more meaningful place in boxing, as the personalities and theatre continue to play out prior to the August 7 showdown at the Scottrade Center.
As for Team Alexander’s camp, the Countdown to the Showdown is “on schedule,” said trainer Kevin Cunningham.
“We are not taking any shortcuts with this guy, it’s business with us. So tell St. Louis when we get home on the 7th to come out and witness history and Devon will put on a show for St. Louis, HBO, the Scottrade Center. Let’s sell it out for the nation to witness.”
Something has to be said when you have three championship fights coming to St. Louis, as well as world class trainers in Stewart, Cunningham, McKinley.
The theatre, with HBO putting a little spice in the “Gateway To Greatness” when Tim Bradley talking tough last Saturday night calling out Devon Alexander, and Don King Productions promoting the show.
Enough said, boxing fans!
