Newly-crowned IBF welterweight beltholder Randall Bailey will make the first defense of his crown opposite former IBF and WBC junior welterweight titleholder Devon Alexander in a Showtime-televised bout from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Sept. 8, according to Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer.

Bailey (43-7, 37 knockouts), of Miami, was last in the ring for an 11th-round knockout of previously unbeaten Mike Jones (26-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant title in June, a performance that was executed on the undercard of a split-decision victory by Tim Bradley which dethroned Manny Pacquiao for the WBO’s welterweight crown.

Alexander (23-1, 13 KOs), of St. Louis, Mo., is coming off consecutive triumphs over Argentine countrymen Lucas Matthysse (31-2, 29 KOs) in June of last year and Marcos Maidana (31-3, 28 KOs) in February by split- and unanimous decision, respectively.

On the Bailey-Alexander undercard, Matthysse will pursue his fourth straight knockout against unbeaten Nigerian southpaw Ajose Olusegun (30-0, 14 KOs).

Matthysse scored his third straight knockout victory over former WBC 130-pound and lightweight titleholder Humberto Soto (58-8-2, 34 KOs) in the fifth round in June, ending the Mexican’s 15-bout winning streak that had included six knockouts.

Olusegun is coming off September’s unanimous decision over Canada’s Ali Cheba, ending the loser’s eight-fight winning streak that had included seven stoppages.

“Two great fights,” said Schaefer. “I think tha both of them are going to produce a lot of fireworks. I’m really looking forward to that card.”

Photo by Photo by Tom Hogan, Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]