Devon Alexander - Tim Bradley could happen in January

Alexander (left) beats up Junior Witter

Devon Alexander's title fight against Andriy Kotelnik on Saturday night on HBO is certainly the biggest fight of Alexander's career.

But the key for Alexander (20-0, 13 KOs), the IBF and WBC 140-pound champion, is to stay focused and not looked past Kotelnik. Why? Because a huge matchup with Tim Bradley potentially awaits Alexander. 

According to ESPN.com, HBO is already excited about a Bradley-Alexander matchup, which would unify the 140-pound titles. Bradley (26-0, 11 KOs), fresh off the dismantling of Luis Carlos Abregu in a 12-round 147-pound bout, holds the WBO junior weltweweight title.

The potential fight could take place on January 29, the Saturday before the Super Bowl, according to ESPN.com.

Bradley, regarded as the best junior welterweight in game, has been plagued by a lack of exposure. Despite signing a contract with HBO, which guarantees him more exposure, he has yet to land that mega-fight. 

Top Rank's Bob Arum, during a recent conference call, attributed Bradley's inability to land a big bout because he's yet to become a household name.

"The problem with a guy like Tim Bradley is that even though you and I know what a superb fight he is, the public doesn't know," Arum said.

In a perfect world, it wouldn't matter whether Bradley's a known commodity. But we live in a world where the bottom line is the bottom line. Bradley needs to become more than just a boxer. He needs to be able to sell tickets and TV ratings. 

Bradley looked great in his win over Abregu. The problem is the fight was in the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, Ca. Only three of Bradley's 26 bouts have taken outside of California. He's yet to step into a ring in Las Vegas, Atlantic City or Madison Sqaure Garden.

It's the same for Alexander, who hasn't fought in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. But Alexander did score a unanimous-decision win over DeMarcus Corley in 2008 at Madison Square Garden.

A fight between Bradley and Alexander would have to take place in a big venue. The days of fighting in front of bar room crowds should be over for both fighters.