Ryan Coyne to Fight on Roy Jones Jr. Undercard Saturday

Albert Samaha

It's a big winter for St. Louis boxing.

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In the meantime, there are wins he must rack up.

This Saturday, Coyne fights Dante Craig (18-11-1) in Atlanta. Craig is a 33-year-old former Olympian who has scraped up one win in his last ten fights. It's an unavoidable truth in boxing that win-loss records matter greatly for up-and-coming fighters looking to make the leap to the big stage, which means plenty of job openings for aging and mediocre boxers looking to milk a decent living out of a brutal sport. There's always a need for Tomato Cans.

And while we're on the subject, the main event of the night's card features 42-year-old Roy Jones Jr.'s return to the ring against a man named Max Alexander, whom you've likely never heard of because Max Alexander hasn't won a fight since 2007. These are the kind of spectacles that make boxing fans cringe, that steal attention from the true juice of the sport (such as the Amir Khan-Lamont Peterson clash this same night). But Jones probably just wants to end his career with a win, instead of three straight bad-looking losses. And Alexander, who has been in fights scheduled for ten or more rounds only three times, certainly couldn't turn down a pay day like this and a chance to maybe possibly defeat a boxing legend.

And, if nothing else, at least we get a promo commercial that was clearly made by the same guy who makes the monster truck show ads:

The event will be on broadcast online on UStream for $9.99, though it is unclear how many undercards will be shown.

It's a big winter for St. Louis boxing, with the city's top three names all lacing up the gloves. On January 6, Dannie Williams (20-1), fresh off a tune-up second round KO in November, is scheduled to compete on ESPN's Friday Night Fights, which would be his second appearance in six months (opponent to be announced). His first time on the program, in August, Williams made his television debut with an impressive fourth round knock out.

Then in late February, Devon Alexander (22-1) will likely fight Marcos Maidana (31-2), either on HBO or Showtime (certainly not pay-per-view, though).