Two top fighters battle it out in a WBO light welterweight eliminator clash when Devon Alexander (21-1, 13 KO) and Lucas Matthysse (28-1, 26 KO) meet this Saturday night in Saint Charles, Missouri.

In what many expect to be an entertaining duel, Matthysse, regarded as a very powerful puncher with great leverage, may have his hands full with southpaw jabber Alexander, a quick boxer with solid reflexes.

Should Matthysse start off aggressively and attack the southpaw, he can pressure Alexander with heavy body shots and throw of his rhythm. If Matthysee struggles to pressure Alexander, he could lose rounds in a fight that has a chance to go the distance.

When Matthysse faced Zab Judah (41-6, 28 KO) in November 2010, Matthysse was somewhat sluggish and hesitant in the early part of the fight, but then dominated the closing rounds. Although he knocked Judah down in the tenth, Matthysse ultimately lost in a split decision.

Alexander is a high-volume puncher, while Matthysse knows when to hit and take chances. Alexander was amped up against the under-rated Timothy Bradley (27-0, 11 KO) who's lacks the power of Matthysse. Since Matthysse is not a fast paced fighter, this should give Alexander opportunity to try for a knockout. Alexander is a busy and resilient boxer, but he has to think smart to avoid clinching to keep the heavy hitter off of him.

With the loss of his WBC junior welterweight title to Timothy Bradley back in January, Alexander has a lot to prove.

In a recent conference call, Alexander said, I want to show people why I was considered one of the best at 140 pounds, and I want those people who believed in me to know that they were not wrong.

Matthysse who's been training in California with middleweight champion, Sergio Maravilla Martinez (47-2, 26 KO) has a different agenda this weekend.

Devon Alexander is nothing special and I plan on knocking him out on Saturday, Mattysse said forcefully.

Alexander loudly retorted, the last guy that said that to me (Juan Urango) got knocked out.

California Boxing California HBO