With the debate still raging at whether or not Saturday’s fight will have attracted new fans to the sport, the dedicated hardcore are turning their attentions to the weekend and the return of Mexican star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (44-1-1, 31ko) who squares off against big punching James Kirkland (32-1, 28ko) in Houston, TX in a fight that – on paper at least – should be far more entertaining than the May-Pac affair.
At least that is what Golden Boy chief Oscar De La Hoya is promising, previously telling fighthype.com
“This will be a dangerous and fun fight to watch. You’re guaranteed to see fireworks, guaranteed to see a knock-out. One punch can change it all.”
And in theory, De La Hoya is right.
Yet in the opposite corner to his man Alvarez, is a fighter in Kirkland who has been beset by problems his entire professional career. Periods in prison disrupted his rise to stardom before he was then knocked out by light hitting Japanese fighter Nobuhiro Ishida inside a round in 2011.
A hook up with female former world champion Ann Wolfe was beneficial for a time – with Kirkland returning to a degree of knockout form, yet more personal troubles, custody and a split from Wolfe have seen the now 31 year old out of the ring for the past 18 months. He’s only had 2 fights in almost 3 and a half years. A big concern.
Documented issues with weight, the fact Kirkland has never seen 12 rounds in his career and a hook-up with an unheralded and unknown trainer for this fight leave me worried that we won’t see the fight the fans are expecting.
In short – there are too many unknowns surrounding James Kirkland for me to have faith that the best possible version will turn up on Saturday.
Conversely, Alvarez is the fighter with all the momentum and from his perspective this is a great fight for him. He had a tough time last July against slick Cuban Erislandy Lara – a fight he deserved big props for taking – and the boxer v puncher narrative unfolded with a controversial SD win for the Mexican.
Before that he had the all-Mexican firefight with Alfredo Angulo, which was his return to action following his loss to Mayweather.
It’s that type of slug-fest I think the fans are expecting with Kirkland (who also fought – and beat -Angulo in 2011) and despite Alvarez having that fight mostly all his own way, it still made for an entertaining watch.
It was just the type of battle the casual fans wanted from May-Pac yet the boxing faithful knew was never going to materialise.
I hope we a see that type of a war this Saturday in Texas too. Yet sadly I think it may well be a short night’s work for Alvarez who I can see having things all his own way from the get-go and beating up the American who has shown he can be extremely vulnerable when his eye isn’t firmly on the ball in the past.
I hope I’m wrong, really I do. Yet I think it’s possible Oscar De La Hoya is planning a big marquee fight for his premier signing and rumours of a mooted future superfight with GGG are gathering pace online.
First though, he must dispose of James Kirkland – and I fully expect him to do so this weekend. Then the future is looking extremely bright for the young Alvarez who has from day one said he want’s to be one of boxing’s future hall of famer’s.
At 24 years old, his march to boxing greatness takes another important step forward this weekend.
Thanks for reading
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
