Bailey vs Alexander: Fight Likely Headed to St. Louis, Matthysse vs Olusegun Possible For Co-Feature

The September 8 Showtime fight between IBF welterweight titlist Randall Bailey and Devon Alexander is likely to land in Alexander's backyard in St. Louis, according to RingTV.com, which is something Bailey has said he doesn't want to do, but realistically there's probably not another good option.

Bailey (43-7, 37 KO) won the vacant title on June 9 when he knocked out Mike Jones on the Pacquiao vs Bradley undercard. Alexander (23-1, 13 KO) moved up to the 147-pound ranks with a dominant decision win over Marcos Maidana in February. The unfortunate thing for Bailey is that he has no major fanbase anywhere, and Alexander does. The fight wouldn't draw in Vegas or Atlantic City, two popular "neutral" locations for fights, and everyone has known since the fight was announced that the best fit was in St. Louis.

Personally, I don't really see an issue. Like I've said before, it's not like Randall Bailey is going to outpoint Devon Alexander. He's not looking to take this to the cards anywhere they fight. There are two outcomes to this fight: Either Randall Bailey knocks Alexander out, or Devon Alexander is going to win. Bailey isn't good enough to win a decision, but he damn sure hits hard enough to knock anyone out, anywhere, and that will, as always, be his goal. Bailey has fought 51 times as a pro, and has gone the distance all of 10 times. He's gone a 12 round distance four times, and is 0-4 in those bouts.

Lem Satterfield also reports that Richard Schaefer is talking with Lou DiBella about co-promoting another fight for the undercard, which would see DiBella's Ajose Olusegun (30-0, 14 KO) face Lucas Matthysse (31-2, 29 KO). Matthysse just knocked out Humberto Soto on June 23, and a possible fight with Olusegun could be for an interim WBC title at 140 pounds. The current titlist is Danny Garcia, who faces Amir Khan for the belt next weekend. Olusegun won an eliminator bout last September over Ali Chebah, and has been passed over for his title shot repeatedly.