Dennis Alexio

Alexio has extra incentive
By Mike Fitzgerald
Star-Bulletin

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As expected, Larry "Thunderfoot" Cureton has the weight advantage.

But Dennis Alexio has even more incentive than usual - which he has rarely needed in the past.

"I dedicate all my fights to my father," he said at yesterday's weigh-in at Planet Hollywood. "But this one is especially emotional because he just passed away a few weeks ago."

Alexio, the undisputed world kickboxing champion with a record of 63-1 with 58 knockouts, will take on Cureton tomorrow night at Blaisdell Arena.

Cureton, who weighed in at 238 pounds, has a record of 41-4 with 37 knockouts and is the United States Super Heavyweight Champion.

"I'm ready - and I hope he is," said the 6-foot-1 Jersey City, N.J., firefighter, who was a sparring partner of former heavyweight champion Ray Mercer. "I never come into the ring with a strategy - I adjust to the environment."

Alexio said he is in better physical shape for this fight than he was against Masaaki Masamoto, who knocked him down in a fight last August at Blaisdell Arena - although Alexio won on a sixth-round KO.

"I feel better rested and my foot has healed," he said. "Plus, I've corrected a couple of minor things."

Alexio said he has been sparring with a bigger opponent - but he isn't underestimating Cureton.

"He's a dangerous guy," he said. "He's one tough son of a gun and I know he's chomping at the bit.

"But I'm prepared. I feel good."

There are seven additional fights scheduled for the undercard, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

For ticket information, call 545-4000.