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Devon Alexander, Shawn Porter quiet as trainers take shots back-and-forth

Trainers for Devon Alexander and Shawn Porter, who could meet on May 18 for Alexander's IBF title, have exchanged words in the media that date back nearly 20 years.

Al Bello

Devon Alexander doesn't talk a lot, and definitely doesn't talk trash. His trainer, Kevin Cunningham, always does that for him, either by design or just because Cunningham is a quote machine.

Shawn Porter also hasn't talked much in his pro career, but his father and trainer, Ken, has started up some beef with Cunningham (and, by extension, Alexander).

"We owe Devon an ass-whooping - because when Shawn was eight-years-old, Kevin lied to me and said Devon was eight, and he was [actually] ten, and they fought and Devon beat us. I have never gotten over that and I don't think Shawn has either. You don't do that to an eight year old, put him in there with someone who is ten and lie about their age."

Cunningham points out a fatal flaw in Porter's story: Alexander is only eight months older than Porter.

"Every time I see Kenny he is smiling and talking like we are cool, but he tells BoxingScene that he's had a problem with me for almost 20 years. ... Then he makes up this lame ass lie about Devon's age. How could Devon be ten and Shawn was eight when they were both born in 1987? I hope he trains his son better than he did then. But the bottom line is this, we are obligated to do our mandatory. If the IBF approves Porter as the mandatory, then Shawn can get his ass kicked again."

Porter (20-0-1, 14 KO) is in the running to replace Kell Brook on May 18, as Alexander is set to defend his IBF title despite Brook pulling out yet again. The decision, Rick Reeno reports, looks to be down to what the IBF decides. Vyacheslav Senchenko and Andre Berto are also reportedly in the running.

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