Boxing: Alexander throws down the gauntlet

Wayne Alexander is confident that 2002 will see him established as the best of Britain’s bright crop of light-middleweights.

The 11st 7lb division is brimming with talent, with WBU champion Takaloo, Commonwealth title-holder Richard Williams and rising stars Steve Roberts and Anthony Farnell all vying with Alexander for top spot in the domestic rankings.

Alexander, however, will get the chance to boost his credentials when bidding to add the European title to his British crown on January 19.

The big-hitting 28-year-old takes on Italy’s Paolo Pizzamiglio at the York Hall in Bethnal Green.

With two wins under his belt since a brave fifth-round loss to Namibia’s highly-rated WBO king Harry Simon, Alexander feels he is ready to make his mark on the world stage.

‘‘I reign as king of the light-middleweights and when I win the European title this will only cement my position,’’ declared the Croydon fighter.

‘‘I am the best in the division and will knock any one of them clean out. None of them would be able to stand up to one of my punches.

‘‘I would be delighted to take any one of them on if they disagree, but once I win the European title I will then look towards frying the bigger fish across the pond and that includes the likes of Oscar de la Hoya and Fernando Vargas by the end of the year.’’