Alexander eyes Mayweather

Former WBC/IBF junior welterweight titleholder Devon Alexander wants to pursue a path toward facing welterweight beltholder Floyd Mayweather Jr, whose fourth-round knockout victory dethroned Victor Ortiz for the classification's crown on Sept. 17.

Alexander (22-1, 13 KOs) has climbed into the welterweight division and  acquired the WBC's No. 1 spot in the wake of the loss by Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KOs) to Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs).

Alexander still is unranked as a welterweight by RING, having yet to have fought in the division.

"Basically, from where we're sitting, at the No. 1 spot in the world in the WBC's rankings, with Floyd being the champion and boxing's super star, whatever we do and whatever decision we make has to be in line with getting closer to getting a shot at the WBC champion," said Alexander's trainer, Kevin Cunningham.

"Devon respects the WBC and he was once the WBC champion before, and we feel like he's going to win the WBC title again. We respect our position as the No. 1 contender by the WBC, and whatever decision we make has to be be in line with moving us closer toward the WBC champion, which is Floyd Mayweather."

That path could include Ortiz, whose trainer, Danny Garcia, said that he could see Ortiz-Alexander "only if Mayweather doesn't give us the rematch."

"I think that it's a good fight. Devon Alexander is a great fighter and a former champion with a lot of speed and all of that. I think that we can do good in that fight," said Garcia.

"Devon has has a lot of experience from the amateurs. I think that it would be a good fight. He's the No. 1 contender, he's got only one loss, he's a former champion and and I think that we could beat him."

Alexander lost his WBC junior welterweight titleholder following an 11th-round, technical decision loss to Tim Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs) in January, but bounced back with a 10-round decision win over hard-hitting Lucas Matthysse (28-2, 26 KOs) in June.

"The bottom line is Devon's moved up to welterweight, and he's looking to fight the best, like he did at junior welterweight and just like he always has. At 140, Devon fought the best guys out there. We're ready to do the same thing at 147," said Cunningham.

"If Team Ortiz is looking at Devon as an opponent and they want to fight, then, you know, we're ready and willing. Devon and Victor know each other very well from the amateurs, and personally we like Victor. But this is a business, and if Alexander-Ortiz can be made and the deal is right and it makes dollars and sense, then let's get it on."

Lem Satterfield can be reached at lem.satterfield@gmail.com