James Kirkland: “I Am A Force Of Nature That Overrides, No One Has My Determination”

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CaneloKirklandSAPC_Hoganphotos2After the oft-discussed Cotto bout was shut down, Saul Alvarez (44-1 31 KO’s) turned his attention to James Kirkland (32-1 28 KO’s) as the replacement. While many pundits and fans alike believe Canelo is the overwhelming favorite in this bout, especially after Kirkland ditched trainer Ann Wolfe, one person who does not believe that to be true is The Mandingo Warrior himself. Coming off an over year long layoff since his last fight, Kirkland sounded hungry and ready in a conference call with the media leading up to the May 9th showdown.

“I am definitely encouraged and anxious. It’s not something I am proving to myself and the city, but to my fans. Kirkland is a warrior. I have been preparing myself for an opportunity like this and needed to take time to learn more about boxing. I am prepared. One thing I can say is that the course that takes place should be a positive one and I never stop being in the gym, stop working.”

The always exciting, come forward, and action first Kirkland will look to pressure Canelo constantly, the likes of which he hasn’t been tested with before. At his best, we’ve seen this Kirkland overwhelm opponents, even ones with iron chins such as Alfredo Angulo. He has a single loss on his resume, a shocking 1st round knockout to little known Nobuhiro Ishida. After his destruction of Glen Tapia in December of 2013, he took a long time off from the ring. Per his comments noted above, he seemingly worked on his boxing skills in this time off, trying to become a more polished fighter rather than a come forward warrior. Whether this philosophy will hold up once the punches start flying, however, is anyone’s guess.

While Canelo will surely be a big draw in Houston and is the A-side of the event, Kirkland will be the “hometown” fighter, as he is from Austin. However, the surroundings might be one of the only familiar things in the ring for Kirkland that night. Longtime trainer Ann Wolfe won’t be in his corner, a decision that many felt would be detrimental. Kirkland, though, believes that he is as ready for this fight as he has been for any other in his career if not more so. He also made it clear that while he intends to box more effectively in this fight than in past ones, the old James Kirkland style will be present in Minute Maid Park.

“I am a force of nature that overrides. With heart, my heart is bigger. When it comes to will, no one has my determination. With speed, no one has my speed. When people ask about it, it is a fight you don’t have to worry about. Canelo and I will meet in the middle of the ring, and that is where it will all take place…I’m a fighter. I definitely feel like I have the power, will, confidence, speed, heart, and determination to beat Canelo.”

While Kirkland’s career has been one filled with highs and lows, elation and disappointment, it feels like heading into this, the biggest fight of his career, that he’s truly ready to make the leap that so many expected him to make years ago. To do so, he will have to bring all of the patented Kirkland determination and will, as well as a refined skill set to the table to take down the immensely talented, and favored, Canelo. If he can, he might finally realize the potential he’s exuded since he first stepped on the scene.