Tonight at 9:45 pm EDT, HBO presents a Boxing After Dark triple-header headlined by a 140-pound bout between Devon Alexander (21-1, 13 KO) and Lucas Matthysse (28-1, 26 KO).
The Alexander vs Matthysse fight has turned out to be pretty evenly picked by a lot of media and serious boxing fans out there, but one wrinkle came to light today that might have an impact: The fight is apparently scheduled for 10 rounds, not the 12 many suspected. That could have a major say in how the fight goes, as many thought Matthysse would have the firepower to win the fight late, and now there appear to be two less rounds than most expected, given that this is apparently a WBO eliminator, and eliminators are 12-round fights.
The night will begin with a heavyweight fight between Bermane Stiverne (20-1-1, 19 KO) and perennial fringe contender/journeyman Ray Austin (28-5-4, 18 KO). Austin is most famous for once being knocked out by a Wladimir Klitschko who only threw his left hand for two rounds. Stiverne is making his US TV debut at age 32, and has some skills. This is a big shot for him.
The co-feature of the night will be a 175-pound title clash between unbeaten Tavoris Cloud (22-0, 18 KO) and fringe contender Yusaf Mack (29-3-2, 17 KO), who is Cloud's mandatory challenger. Cloud is the massive favorite.
Join us tonight!