Bradley wins WBC title
Timothy Bradley added the WBC light-welterweight title to his WBO crown with a technical decision victory over Devon Alexander in Detroit.
The much-anticipated unification contest came to an unsatisfactory close after one minute of round 10 when the two fighters clashed heads - something that continually marred a scrappy contest - and Alexander recoiled in pain before being told by the ringside doctor that he was unfit to continue.
Bradley, 27, could now be set for a showdown with Britain's WBA champion Amir Khan later in the year.
A key moment came in round three when a short left hook on the break from Bradley, followed by a head clash opened up a troublesome cut above Alexander's right eye.
Before that Bradley, who moved to 27-0 following the win, set the tone for the contest as the aggressor in the opening stages. Alexander (21-1) did land flush with a counter left at the end of the second, but the 23-year-old's jab was largely negated to leave him rudderless.
Alexander's back-foot southpaw style was clashing uncomfortably with Bradley's brawling approach and the ugly clash in round three was somewhat inevitable.
Bradley cashed in to dominate round four, but Alexander's best work came in round five and some slick movement allowed him to frustrate his opponent in the middle rounds.
Nevertheless Alexander showed no inclination to take the initiative, and the only surprise as Bradley reasserted his authority in round nine was that the Palm Springs man came off worse from the latest clash of heads with a cut of his own.
As both fighters wound up big right hands at close quarters in round 10, their heads came together forcefully once more, with Alexander in clear discomfort.
Referee Frank Garza ruled the clash to be accidental and sent the fight to the ringside judges who handed Bradley a 97-93, 96-95, 98-93 win.
Date published :
30 Jan 2011 - 14:00:29
