Wayne Alexander does the right thing

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 07 Jan 2004, 12:37

Wayne Alexander returns to the ring on February 7 at the York Hall on the Matt Skelton-Julius Francis English heavyweight title show.
Alexander, former British and European light-middleweight champion, was sensationally knocked out by unfancied Brixton fighter Delroy Mellis last month in Cardiff. The Croydon puncher had hoped to tempt Mellis into an immediate rematch, but will now face an unnamed opponent over eight rounds.
It's good that Wayne is getting back into the ring so soon. If you fall off a horse...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 07 Jan 2004, 12:49

The right thing would have been to retire. But, I guess the lure of wounded pride, stubborn defiance and a mooted final payday against Takaloo in the Spring has convinced Wayne to give it one last go.

But he was stopped by Delroy Mellis who was on a long, losing streak. It really doesn't augur well. Such an exciting fighter who was absent from the ring for far too long, seemingly it wasnt always down to him. A real shame.

I wish him a safe and productive comeback.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 07 Jan 2004, 12:49

Then buy a 4x4 instead...

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 07 Jan 2004, 12:58

Alexander would have won if it had been a six-rounder. The great Jim Watt always maintains that inactivity affects stamina, and we saw how badly Wayne slowed in the final two frames as proof of that. Mellis is a dangerman as well. Astonishingly, all his wins have come inside the distance!

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » 07 Jan 2004, 13:01

A lot depends on what mood Mr Warren is in.
He may hang Wayne out to dry, with another tricky opponent.
Ernie Fossey bless him must be turning in his grave.
There's no way Ernie would have put Alexander in with a banger like Mellis after that period of inactivity.
What weight is he going to fight at ?
Middle / Light Middle ?

bigynzing · Post by **bigynzing** » 07 Jan 2004, 19:08

`id like to see wayne get the rematch with Mellis then, assuming he wins, he should fight Farnell...and the loser should call it a day.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 08 Jan 2004, 11:56

The loss to Mellis showed how wrong an Alexander-Eastman would have been. Howard would have hung him out to dry that night, or any other.

JimStone · Post by **JimStone** » 08 Jan 2004, 12:06

If a boxer's not properly conditioned and sharp he can be beaten off men who are far beneath his genuine calibre.

Providing Wayne gets plenty of good sparring, does his roadwork and makes sure his head's right theres a good few miles left in him yet.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 08 Jan 2004, 12:15

All true. He's being eased back with a fairly safe opponent in February (I've been tipped off who the opponent is, but I've been sworn to secrecy at this stage) and can build up to a rematch with Mellis or even a long-mooted showdown with Takaloo. Never judge a fighter on one fight is my outlook. Two or three, yes. Never one.
We only have to look at Evander Holyfield against Bobby Czyz to see that.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 09 Jan 2004, 15:47

Agreed, not the end by any means. Wayne can return, he just needs to improve his defence and punch output, he has always been a little too wild and open for my liking. He should conserve his power behind sounder Boxing rather than believing the puncher hype and looking to bomb everyone out.