Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 sports
Friday 27 July 2018

Alexander making journey back from painkiller addict to ring

By BARRY WILNER lose the things he worked so
AP Sports Writer hard to achieve,” said Cun-
NEW YORK (AP) — Devon ningham, who has worked
Alexander has gone from with Alexander since the
world champion to pain- fighter was 7. “And it was
killer addict to boxer on part of the focus on the
the comeback trail. He process of rehab, and he
believes the battles he’s had that (boxing) to look
waged to get back into forward to.”
the ring will benefit him as His first fight after the layoff
he chases another title. was last November against
Alexander held two world veteran Walter Castillo. Al-
championships by the time exander won a unanimous
he was 23 years old. But af- decision.
ter defeating Marcos Maid- “It felt like I was home, like
ana in early 2012, Alexan- I was back to myself,” he
der underwent surgery to said. “Just needed a few
remove a blood clot from rounds to get warmed up
his nose. and my feet under me. I
He was prescribed Tramad- was just elated I was able
ol, a powerful opiate pain- to be back and beat it, to
killer, to help in his recovery. get in the ring and show
Instead, the drug turned Al- other people they can
exander into an addict. In this Dec. 13, 2014, file photo, Devon Alexander, right, punches Amir Khan during their welterweight do it. It is now about more
“Every doctor prescribes boxing match in Las Vegas. than me — I got a purpose
pain medication, and this Associated Press now.”
was my first time taking any- a private person, anyone in came against Shawn Porter took the necessary steps to Then came another tough,
thing, any medicine, and I boxing will tell you I am — it and Amir Khan, among the get help. I had my family seasoned opponent, Victor
don’t drink or smoke,” Alex- was very difficult to tell any- best welterweights around around, my coach around, Ortiz, in February, and they
ander said as he prepared one.” “Everyone looked at at the time. my mom around to do the fought to a draw. Alexan-
for an Aug. 4 welterweight me as there is no way Dev- Alexander knew in late 2015 right thing. I always kept up der recognizes he is not
eliminator with another on would do that. But I had he couldn’t think about my pride.” back to previous form, but
former champion, Andre done it,” he said. “It turned getting back into the ring But did he keep up his skills? he is progressing.
Berto, at Nassau Coliseum. my life upside down.” until he straightened out Putting the gloves back on Berto, who has lost five of
“A couple weeks after sur- Alexander had one loss his life. So he took off more and hitting the heavy bag his last nine after begin-
gery I found myself taking against 23 victories af- than two years while kick- or sparring were important ning his pro career with 27
the medicine when I didn’t ter beating Maidana; the ing his addiction. steps. Could he still handle straight wins, should pro-
need to, and it gradually loss was to Timothy Brad- “I am a positive person, a the rigors of the ring? vide a good test. Alexan-
got worse. I was taking it ley Jr., for the WBC super happy person, so I never Cunningham had few der wants the fight on Fox
again and again. lightweight crown. During thought that I wouldn’t doubts that Alexander TV to be the next step to-
“Before you knew it, I was his addiction, he actu- fight (again),” the 31-year- would return strongly. ward a shot at one of the
skipping the gym. After a ally fought six times, losing old Alexander said. “I “I think a big part of it was champions in the stacked
year and a half of it — I am three. Two of the defeats made my mistake and he saw he was about to welterweight division. q

Conor McGregor tacking the bus in a Bar-

clays Center loading dock
Continued from Page 17 are technically violations, after a press event ahead
not criminal offenses. of UFC 223, which featured
“You’re the champ Conor!” McGregor, once the UFC’s the sport’s biggest card of
Robbie Fox yelled, an Irish simultaneous 145- and the year.
flag draped around his 155-pound champion, He and an entourage that
neck. “They won’t do any- hasn’t fought since the fra- UFC president Dana White
thing to you Conor, you’re cas. described as “20 hoodlums
the champ!” The UFC stripped him of that flew in from Ireland”
McGregor, clad in a its 155-pound champion- crashed the event alleg-
tight, blue pinstripe suit, ship belt in April because edly looking for retaliation
was joined in court by his he had not fought in 17 against main event fighter
25-year-old friend, fellow months. During that time, Khabib Nurmagomedov,
fighter, Irish citizen and co- McGregor turned to box- who had been in an alter-
defendant Cian Cowley, ing and secured a guar- Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, center, appears in cation with McGregor’s
who was sentenced to anteed $30 million payday court, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in New York. friend Artem Lobov.
three days of community despite losing a highly an- Associated Press Video showed McGregor
service and anger man- ticipated bout last year to Russian President Vladimir Gregor’s 30th birthday, tossing trash cans and be-
agement. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Putin and posed with him his girlfriend revealed on ing blocked from throw-
Prosecutors said the sen- The UFC declined to com- in a photo posted on Insta- Instagram that she was ing a barricade before he
tence will allow McGregor ment Thursday on the out- gram. In the caption, Mc- pregnant with their second launched the hand truck.
to “reflect on his conduct come of McGregor’s case. Gregor called Putin “one child. Fighters Michael Chiesa
and give back to society.” Last week, McGregor at- of the greatest leaders of McGregor, widely known and Ray Borg were hurt
The charges to which he tended the World Cup final our time.” for his fight-related antics, by shattered glass, forcing
and Cowley pleaded guilty in Moscow as a guest of The day before, on Mc- was seen on camera at- them from their bouts.q