Devon Alexander, Tim Bradley Discuss Their Inspirations

FanHouse has been forwarded the third installments of training camp notes for both 27-year-old WBO junior welterweight (140 pounds) king Tim Bradley and 23-year-old southpaw WBC titlist Devon Alexander as they prepare to face each other in Saturday night's HBO televised clash from the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich.

Nicknamed, "The Desert Storm," Bradley (26-0, 11 knockouts) is promoted by Gary Shaw and hails from from Palm Springs, Calif. Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs), who is called, "The Great," is promoted by Don King and is from St. Louis, Mo.

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Devon Alexander

Inspirations: My mom has been a great inspiration to me because she raised 13 kids with practically nothing but determination and hard work.

She has been one of my best role models. She always taught me to reach for what I want to achieve. I always looked up to her because she got all of us clothed and fed and kept us safe.

When I look back now as a young man, it's an amazing thing to look back at what she was able to accomplish. I lost my dad to cancer in 2004, but he was an inspiration, too.

He was the one who taught me to be humble. He always told me when I would come back from an amateur boxing tournament where I had done well that he was proud of me.

But he was quick to remind me not to get a big head, to stay grounded at all times and don't ever think you are better than anyone else just because you performed well in a particular competition.

My trainer, Kevin Cunningham, is someone I met when I was seven-year-old. He's been me with ever since. He has taught me many things.

Here are few of them: Never give up and remember very few things in life that are good are easy to obtain. He always told me to work hard and look what it has done for me.

His advice is what has helped me to get to whatever heights I have reached in boxing and in life.


Boxing Inspirations: Muhammad Ali has always been one of my favorite boxers because he was so fast and cocky, but confident in a good way.

'Sweet Pea' Pernell Whitaker was a guy I loved to watch because he was a southpaw, like me, and always had the best defense.

Cory Spinks let me train in his camp in St. Louis since I was very young. He was my idol, and as I grew up I realized that I could hone my skills, as he had done, and hopefully someday do it better.

I don't feel like I'm a clone of Cory. I definitely took some pages out of his book. Sometimes, when I watch myself on tape, I'll see myself doing something Cory did a long time ago.

That brings a smile to my face. It's just part of who I am now.


Tim Bradley

Inspirations: When I sit and think of my life and who have been my inspirations, heroes and motivators, I have to start by acknowledging God and my family.

The one person that I can assure you deserves to be my hero is definitely my father. My motivators in life are my family and all the people who surround me with their great support every day of my life.

My family supports me unconditionally. I am the man that I am today not only because of the life experiences that I have encountered, but also my wife and her kids. Before I met my wife Monica, I was a young man living the single life.

But once we were married, I knew this would have to change if I was going to be a good role model to my kids and a good enough man to stand next to this strong woman.

My relationship with my dad is so special to me because he has taught me determination, work ethic and, most of all, that life is about choices.

One thing that he made clear to me at a young age is that everyone has a fair shot at life. Therefore, life will be what we make of it.

He also has given me my place as a man and has allowed me to make my own choices even when he knew they were wrong.

But the one thing that I am most grateful that he has taught me is that the most important thing in your life as a man should be your family. Not work, money or materialistic things, but your family.


Boxing inspirations: The people who inspire me on my quest to be the best are my family and boxers Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

In the ring, Mayweather and Pacquiao are by far among the best fighters in the world and have been an inspiration of who I want to be in terms of athleticism - the best.

Aaron Pryor, Henry Armstrong and Meldrick Taylor are the three fighters whose fighting styles I have modeled. Both Aaron and Henry were relentless fighters with great head movement.

Meanwhile, Meldrick possessed great punching combinations, desire and determination. Even though all the people have been important in helping define who I am, I don't believe they would be possible without the faith God has given me.

For this, I am grateful.