Purdy's title bid fails before it starts

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (AFP) –

Boxer Devon Alexander poses on October 19, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. England’s Lee Purdy failed to make weight for Saturday’s planned welterweight world title fight against champion Alexander, squandering his chance for the crown.

England’s Lee Purdy failed to make weight for Saturday’s planned welterweight world title fight against champion Devon Alexander, squandering his chance for the crown.

Purdy tipped the scales on Friday at 147.8 pounds, just over the 147-pound limit, while US southpaw Alexander weighed in at 146.7 pounds.

As a result, Purdy cannot win the International Boxing Federation title even if he defeats Alexander, 24-1 with 13 knockouts, at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

Purdy, 20-3 with one draw and 13 knockouts, has won five fights in a row.

It was to have been Alexander’s first defense of the crown he took from US compatriot Randall Bailey last October. He has won three decisions since suffering his only loss, to Tim Bradley in January of 2011.

Alexander’s fight has been cursed with bad luck from the start.

He was to have fought England’s unbeaten Kell Brook, 29-0 with 19 knockouts, but a foot injury last month forced Brook to withdraw from the fight, which was earlier delayed by a Brook ankle injury in December and a February biceps injury to Alexander.

The card also includes IBF light-welterweight champion Lamont Peterson of the United States facing Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse in a non-title bout.

The winner is expected to fight unbeaten World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council light-welterweight champion Danny Garcia later this year with that winner likely facing England’s Amir Khan next.