The heat is on: Devon Alexander vs. Timothy Bradley at the Silverdome

The HBO- backed light welterweight super fight between WBC champion Devon Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs) and WBO titleholder Timothy Bradley (26-0-1, 11 KOs), which will be held at the Pontiac Silverdome on January 29th, is definitely the first big fight of the year.

If the fight will turn out to be as promised, this could be an omen of things to come not only for both fighters but also for the sport. If the fight turns out to be as advertised, then this will put the onus on the promoters and matchmakers to make more relevant fights. If the fight turns out to be as projected, then this could help both fighters command more respect and marketability not only from the fans but from the powers that be.

Timothy Bradley first won the WBC version of the belt against Englishman belt holder Junior Witter in the latter's backyard in 2008, and since then has faced a bevy of fighters with different styles along the way while successfully holding on to his belt; Luis Abregu, Lamont Peterson, Nate Campbell and Kendall Holt.

But it was his unification fight with Kendall Holt that could probably define Bradley as a fighter wherein he showed not only his all- around boxing skills and superb conditioning but also his brave heart and never- say- die attitude.

Yes, Bradley had to overcome two knockdowns in the first and 12th rounds to prevail via unanimous decision (UD) in the hotly- contested fight thereby taking away Kendall Holt's WBO crown in the process and ensuring his continued march to greatness.

Devon Alexander, who for years toiled under the radar and is considered one of the best American fighters coming from the amateur ranks in years, has been raring to get his hands on Timothy Bradley for some time now. Along the way, he too seems to take the challenges that were put in his way with ease; he dismantled the fearsome Colombian Juan Urango and edged Andreas Kotelnik of Ukraine via UD among others.

And in a fight against a common opponent, Devon Alexander got the better of Timothy Bradley in the 'one-  upmanship' department. Devon Alexander grabbed the throne that Timothy Bradley vacated by retiring Junior Witter in the 8th round for the vacant WBC light welterweight crown. Witter, on the other hand, was the same fighter that Bradley dethroned about a year earlier for the same belt via UD, which in turn he refused to defend against Alexander, his mandatory challenger.

Despite his stellar career, some critics believed that Timothy Bradley ducked Devon Alexander when he refused to defend his WBC light welterweight title against him shortly after his fight with Kendall Holt. And Bradley is aware of the negative perception and promises to do his best against Alexander.

"This could possibly be my toughest fight, due to the fact that Devon Alexander, he is extremely talented. And the fact, that he's young and he's a hungry opponent. He has speed and youth and skill and he is a lefty."

Thus, on January 29th, Timothy Bradley will attempt to silence his doubters this time around by finally fighting the one that his critics deem to be the better man.

And Devon Alexander has expressed that he is more than willing to take up the challenge and show the boxing world the stuff that he is made of-

"My skill is way better than his. People think that he's more experienced and that he's more accomplished, but people will see on January 29th how my skill outweighs his skill."

And has this to say about Bradley-

"He's trying to find something to beat me. he knows that I'm too fast for him. He knows that I'm going to be too slick for him. He's just trying figure out something that he can say or do to calm his nerves."

The Devon Alexander- Timothy Bradley super fight is a fight not just for the usual belt and the glory it goes with. Rather, it is a grudge match featuring two young, talented up and coming fighters with bad blood towards each other.

Yes, Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley had a verbal sparring in New York for all the world to see which could also help sell the fight. And fireworks really erupted in the press conference announcing the super fight in New York last month as the two protagonists minced no words in voicing their  genuine animosity towards each other. Let us all then hope that when Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley finally step into that ring at the Pontiac Silverdome on the night of the fight, we will see the same explosive fireworks coming from their fists.

Note: Be sure to click the 'subscribe; button to be updated whenever a new article is published.

Email me at detexam@yahoo.com

Check out the Detroit Fight Sports Examiner Facebook Page

Follow me on Twitter