Photos: David Martin-Warr

From the ghetto of St. Louis, Missouri comes a young humble kid looking to concur boxing’s junior welterweight and welterweight divisions. He is one of fifteen siblings and has a goal of becoming a world champion and role model to young kids everywhere. His mother made sure that he stayed out of trouble and his world renowned trainer is making sure that he develops the fundamentals and discipline needed to become a world class fighter. On top of that, he has a best friend/brother figure in a young man with a famous last name (Spinks) who happens to be the IBF Junior Middleweight Champion of the world. It’s no wonder that with all this support he has already enjoyed a successful amateur career and has begun his professional journey undefeated in 11 fights and has the WBC Youth Welterweight Title to boot. He’s representing “Tha Lou” (St. Louis) to the fullest and I have already dubbed him the future P4P king. Let’s get to know more about the young king to be that goes by the name of Devon Alexander “The Great”.

How’s it going Devon?

DA – I’m good.

Tell the readers how you got started in boxing?

DA – I started when I was about 8 years old. My coach, Kevin Cunningham, was a police officer at my school and he had this gym that he was starting. I went down and tried out and basically been doing it every since. When I went to the gym for the first time, it was like I was a natural. So every since then I haven’t stopped going because I loved it.

What tournaments did you participate in as you began your amateur career?

DA – I fought in the Junior Olympics and won that in the 132lb. division. I traveled with the USA Team all over the world like to Europe and Sweden. I was actually 16 years old at the time when I was fighting over seas when I was suppose to be 17. I went to the Golden Gloves also at 16 because I was doing whatever I could to make it to the Olympics. I made it to the finals in the Golden Gloves my first attempt and lost a decision to Lorenzo Reynolds. I felt I did well and I wasn’t mad about the decision because I was happy with my performance. Then I fought in the PAL’s (Police Athletic League) and I made it to the finals there also. And all of these tournaments I’m mentioning were during the Olympic year. I lost to Rock Allen in the finals of the PAL’s but I did receive the Outstanding Boxer Award and I felt I should have won that fight too. Then I went to the US Championships and fought everyday and won the title against Charles Hadley.

So you were fighting guys that were older than you?

DA – Oh yeah. The following year after all of that I turned 17 in 2004. I felt that those fights I lost I really shouldn’t have but they wanted me to wait around for the 2008 Olympics and told me I shouldn’t be in such a rush. I think there were some major politics playing there with the Olympics so I didn’t sweat it much. I was mad though because my Dad was sick and I wanted to do it but I didn’t want to go home and tell him that I lost.

What was wrong with your father?

DA – He had cancer and passed away in June of 2004.

I’m sorry to hear that and my condolences to you and your family?

DA – Thank you a lot.

Let’s go back a minute because we skipped over the fact that you fought in all of these tournaments and traveled the world while still in high school. Talk to me about that experience.

DA – Oh yeah, I was in high school going in and out of town and I would be gone for months at a time. My teachers would give me my work and I would fax it back to them. I always made sure that I stayed on my school work and all that. I stayed in school and graduated in 2005 from Vashon High School.

That’s very impressive. To be that age and to maintain self-discipline and to see your goal through like that is very commendable.

DA – Thanks. I can say that I am blessed to have made it this far when most people don’t. I’m very blessed, you know.

Do you have aspirations of going to college or will you put that off for now?

DA – I definitely want to go to college but right now I am out of town so much I don’t have time for it. Basically, I want to take a class at a time while I’m in St. Louis when I can. Then when I have time, I will go back and do it full time. I do want to take business management and marketing classes because I will definitely need that knowledge for my career.

Tell me how you met your manager/trainer Kevin Cunningham who happens to be one of the best in the business today.

DA – He was a police officer at my school and I use to see him everyday. He had a gym he ran at the police station. He told me how he was going to restore the gym and that I should come on down. It took me a few weeks to come down because my Mom was skeptical about letting us go. I would ask her everyday if I could go and she would say NO. I was mad that I couldn’t go. I would look at the clock and it would be 6pm and I knew I couldn’t go then because it was too late. So, three weeks passed and she let us go for the first time and I was so excited. It was me and my brother Vaughn and my big brother Lamar that started at the same time. We were all excited and that’s where I met up with Kevin who already had a couple of guys he was training. From then on we have been together. I think Kevin had 25 amateurs he worked with at the time.

Let’s move right into how you met up with current IBF Junior Middleweight champion Cory “Next Generation” Spinks?

DA – Cory came to the gym about a year after I did so I’ve known him since I was 10 years old. We always had the same style of boxing and we have just been cool with each other to the point we call each other brother. So, I’ve been with him for most of his fights and he does the same for me. We support each other and that’s what we do. We are the last two out of the 25 guys that Kevin once had because most are in trouble or in jail. Cory and I are just trying to keep our old gym alive which was called High Park Boxing Gym.

Have you and Cory sparred before?

DA – We definitely sparred a couple of times and it was a good learning experience for me. I just learn so much when I get into the ring with him because you know he’s fast and I’ve got to catch him (laugh)…

(Cutting in) Well you’re pretty fast too because I’ve seen you fight…

DA – (Cutting in) Yeah, yeah but I’m trying to get even faster and I’m looking at him and trying to do it better than he did. I’m just trying to be like him but just do it a little better with more speed, quickness and power.

You mentioned your two older brothers that went to the gym with you when you were younger. Are they both still active in boxing today?

DA – Vaughn is 5-0 with 4 KO’s but he’s in some trouble right now but he’ll be alright. My oldest brother, Lamar, is 10-1 and he fought on ESPN about 3 years ago but his career has been slow as of late.

You are currently 11-0 with 6 KO’s. Which one would you say was your toughest fight?

DA – Probably none (laugh)…No, I would probably say that my last fight against Scott Ball because it was on TV and it was so important. Scott was tough and ole dude just wouldn’t fall.

I saw that fight which was televised on ShoBox and I thought you were a little nervous being on TV for the first time…

DA – (Cutting in) I was tense and over anxious and it was probably my toughest fight because all of my other fights went pretty smooth.

Well now you have that experience under your belt so the next televised fight you will feel more comfortable. And Kevin was pretty tough on you (and Cory) but he does a fantastic job preparing you guys for battle.

DA – (Laugh) He is always staying on you and I’m still learning too. I’m trying to get use to the pro style as appose to the amateur style. I’m trying to sit down more on my punches and crack somebody’s head. I want to relax more and pick my opponent apart instead of rushing it and to just have power and quickness at the same time.

Who do you feel won the De La Hoya/Mayweather fight?

DA – It was an okay fight that I felt Mayweather won.

You’re fighting at the 140lb. weight class but you moved up to 147 and won the WBC Youth title there. Which weight class will you continue your campaign at?

DA – Man, I can fight either way for real. But 140 is where I am going to be for now.

Has a date and opponent been announced for your next fight?

DA – No, not yet. Hopefully I can get back on ShoBox and do my thing.

Outside of boxing, what hobbies do you have?

DA – Nothing. I just think about boxing 24/7.

Where did your nickname come from?

DA – When I was an amateur everyone knew that I was great and the name just stuck with me. And one of the boxing website guys started calling me that and really put it out there.

I know you and Cory rep “Tha Lou” to the fullest. Cory has had two big fights in St. Louis the last of which he won the IBF Junior Middleweight title. Is that a goal of yours to headline a fight card held in “Tha Lou”?

DA – I would definitely LOVE that and be able to showcase my talent in front of my hometown. Maybe we could bring Zab (Judah) back and maybe we can do our thang.

Cory always has these ring walks where he dances to the ring being lead out by a top rap artist. I haven’t seen you do it but is that something you will do in the future?

DA – No, because that really isn’t me. I’m not as good of a dancer as Cory is so I won’t be doing that.

You are being promoted by the best that ever did it in Don “Only in America” King. What has that experience been like?

DA – Don has been pretty good to me. I have no complaints. He puts me out there when he can and it’s been pretty nice. I’m not planning on going anywhere else anytime soon.

How can the readers contact and find out more about Devon Alexander ‘The Great’?

DA – They can check me out at www.myspace.com/thegreat or they can e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and they can check out some fight photos I have on the Myspace page.

Cool. Well thanks for taking the time to share some insight into your life. As I told you before, I definitely see you ruling the 147lb. class in the future as champion. Keep doing your thing at 140 for now and continue to be positive and always work hard. It’s been a real pleasure and do you have any final words for our readers?

DA – Just look out for “The Great” because I’m coming and I’m always going to be here because I ain’t going NOWHERE! Thanks a lot.

Special thanks goes out to super manager/trainer Kevin Cunningham for making this interview possible.