Bradley vs. Alexander round-by-round

Timothy Bradley vs. Devon Alexander

Round 1

Bradley flicking the jab out, gets a couple of body shots in. Bradley is pushing the action with Alexander happy to simply try to sneak punches in off the back foot. Alexander isn't making enough of his reach advantage, allowing Bradley to come in and target the body. Alexander is throwing a decent number of punches but they're hitting the arms of Bradley. Bradley explodes on Alexander against the ropes towards the end, unloading with an absolute flurry of punches. Bradley doing a really good job of imposing himself on Alexander and he takes the round.

Round 2

Alexander is looking very uncomfortable giving Bradley the time and space to put together bullying combinations to the body. Alexander is responding by trying to force the big punch, at times swinging wildly. Alexander tightens up in the second half of the round but he's still allowing Bradley to dictate where the fight is taking place and get the better punches. Alexander does catch Bradley with a nice left hand as the WBO champion was seeking to connect with a big right hand. Not enough to give him the round but it shows he's still in it.

Round 3

Bradley just looks the stronger fighter and is bulldozing his way past the long reach advantage of Alexander. There are several great exchanges at the start of the third with Bradley coming in and letting his hands fly. The final of these exchanges is a pier-six slugfest off the ropes with Alexander finally managing to respond in kind. Bradley connects with some nice overhand rights that seem to hurt Alexander. Alexander is looking very quick to hold as Bradley seeks to drag him into a brawl on the inside. Bradley connects with a big hook just as the referee calls a break. Alexander loudly complains to the referee and has an awkward cut just above his eye that is (incorrectly) called as the result of the hook. The round ends and Bradley is clearly in control.

Bradley leads 30-27.

Round 4

Alexander is again proving far too defensive and apprehensive, backpedalling in the face of a whirlwind in Bradley. There's a wonderful exchange as Bradley shows tremendous upper body movement to avoid punch after punch from Alexander. Bradley's concentration does seem to dip toward the end of the round as he walks into punches while trying to set up the big punch. Indeed despite a strong start and being the aggressor throughout Bradley needed three big right hands to secure the round. The cut above Alexander's right eye is open again as well.

We have it 40-36 Bradley.

Round 5

Bradley needs to take his time and not try to force the fight. Bradley walks through Alexander's punches to deliver a couple of his own. A couple of awkward exchanges on the inside sees Bradley get the better again although Bradley seems to be slowing down. Bradley misses with a big uppercut but connects with a nice overhand right. Bradley is missing more punches as the round goes on and isn't doing as good a job setting up angles. Alexander is starting to hit some nice counters and is working the jab but some good combinations from Bradley toward the end is probably enough to deny the round.

50-45 for Bradley.

Round 6

This is becoming a very raggered affair with both fighters missing plenty as they try to force the action. Neither is doing a particularly good job of working angles or setting up their punches, with the round alternating between long-range jab exchanges and action inside the clinch. Really difficult round to score given the lack of any telling quality, but Bradley probably landed the better punches, including a thunderous right hand that almost buckled Alexander.

60-54 for Bradley.

Round 7

Bradley is pushing the action, gets a couple of good right hands in cleanly. Alexander responds with some nice left hands and gets good punches in on the body. And while Bradley is the one moving forward he's movement is less dynamic or varied than in the early exchanges, making him more predictable and easier for Alexander to hit on the counter. With Bradley not connecting with any truly concussive blows Alexander's movement and ringsmanship is probably enough for him to take the round off the back foot.

69-64 Bradley

Round 8

Bradley moves inside to work the body of Alexander but resorts to hitting and holding, showing his frustration at his inability to pin Alexander down. Alexander working his jab much better and catches Bradley off balanced. Bradley responds with a decent left hook but Alexander looks far more comfortable. They clash heads and as a result Bradley is cut. Bradley seems to have run out of ideas but does manage to put together a good combination on the ropes at the very end. Difficult round to score but overall control probably gives it to Alexander.

78-74 Bradley

Round 9

Bradley has lost a lot of momentum over the past few rounds as he tries to head hunt with single shots. He lands another big right hand but, again, he's not in position to follow up with a quality combination. Alexander responds with some popping jabs but Bradley counters with some big right hands. Bradley misses with a wild right hand, spending too much time winding up the big punch. Bradley does land a couple of chopping right hands toward the end of the round.

88-83 Bradley

Round 10

Bradley connects with a left-right combination at the start of the 10th and chases Alexander the ring. They clash heads again and the doctor takes a good long look at the eye of Alexander that is now a mess. Alexander is clearly keen to have the fight go to the scorecards, putting on something of a show for the match officials.

Well that's a disappointing way for such an anticipated fight to end. I'd score the 10th a 10-10 just because I disagree with trying to score incomplete rounds. That gives me a 98-93 score. The judges call it 97-93, 96-95, 98-93 all for Timothy Bradley. So Alexander gambled on getting the early points decision and the gamble backfired.

Timothy Bradley defeats Devon Alexander via unanimous points decisions (fight stopped early due to accidental headbutt)