Light heavyweight Houston Alexander hopes James Irvin gets a recent suspension for performance-enhancing drugs reduced from one year to six months, if only for one selfish reason. So he can put his hands on "The Sandman."
But if Irvin (15-8) doesn't get cleared to fight Alexander (11-6) in May, as the Texas-based Shark Fights is now targeting, "The Assassin" has someone else in mind for his next fight: Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson.
"If 'Kimbo' is available, I'd love to fight him again," Alexander told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
This past Wednesday, the California State Athletic Commission suspended Irvin one year and fined him $2,500 by the for the alleged use of animal steroid Epitrenbolone ahead of a submission loss to Jorge Oliveira at Tachi Palace Fights 7. He was scheduled to fight Alexander March 11 at Shark Fights 14 in a rematch of an April 2008 fight in which he earned an eight-second knockout victory.
The day before Irvin's most recent troubles became public knowledge, Alexander injured his foot in training and was forced to withdraw from the fight. Shark Fights officials called off the bout shortly thereafter, though they didn't make the news official until Irvin's suspension – his second offense for steroids – was made official.
Alexander said he wasn't surprised when he heard that Irvin again had run afoul with an athletic commission.
"Even before the story broke, I was going to tell (manager) Monte (Cox) that one of the stipulations of fighting the guy was to have him tested," Alexander said. "I'm a natural fighter. I've always been a natural fighter.
"He got caught once before. I was disappointed because that's one of the fights I really wanted back. Hopefully, it happens in May like they're kind of estimating. Even now with my foot messed up, I'm still ready for it."
Alexander said his injury, which he said is a torn tendon, will be healed in a few weeks. If, however, Irvin is not able to get his suspension reduced to six months – an action not entirely uncommon with CSAC drug offenders – and be able to fight in May, he would like to once again fight "Kimbo" (4-2).
That's with a different game plan than the one he employed in their first meeting, which ended in a unanimous decision for Ferguson at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale.
"There will be days when I look at my old fights; I'm not even the same fighter I was when I was in the UFC," Alexander said. "I'm a completely different fighter. I know I'm a lot better fighter than any of those losses I've had."
Whether he'll get either of his wishes is unknown. Irvin hasn't spoken publicly since his positive test, though he has the right to appeal his suspension. Ferguson is all but MIA in combat=sports' circles and rumored to be considering a career in pro wrestling.
Shark Fights 14 takes place at Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas, and airs live on HDNet. A women's bout between Tara LaRosa and Carina Damm has taken the the co-main event spot previously occupied by Alexander vs. Irvin II.
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