By: Julio Garcia
“The saddest thing in life is wasted talent, and the choices that you make will shape your life forever.” It’s not the complete quote from “A Bronx Tale,” but it hits where it needs to for this piece. James Kirkland had so much potential but ended up being wasted talent.
There was a time when Kirkland was must-see TV. He would step in the ring and whoever was across from him knew they were going to go through hell. I remember being excited to see him in the ring but he broke my heart with that Alfredo Angulo fight. He was a wrecking ball though.
Kirkland had a four-year hiatus from boxing after his devastating knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez. In his two comeback fights, he beat guys with losing records. Tonight he fought Juan Macias Montiel and hopefully he will not continue after this fight.
Kirkland was dropped numerous times in the fight and stopped in the first round. It was a sad sight and even though we shouldn’t wish a fighter to stop doing what they love to do we have to take his health and wellbeing into consideration. Many years of his career were lost due to various circumstances we don’t need his life to be missing years that he should be enjoying.
