By James Slater: Boxing on the exiting Maidana-Morales card in Las Vegas, 35-year-old Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan scored a huge upset as he blew away the previously unbeaten and highly touted James Kirkland inside a round. The former interim WBA light-middleweight champion, noticeably taller than the 27-year-old southpaw, never gave the man from Texas a chance to get into the fight.
Having his third fight since being released from prison, Kirkland was intent on destroying his man. Charging out at the sound of the bell, the reckless-looking “Mandingo Warrior” was caught by a short left hand to the chin and down he went, badly hurt. Up quite quickly, Kirkland tried to fire his own bombs back but he was soon hit and hurt and dropped again. Smashed into a corner by another left hand to the head, Kirkland was given another count by ref Joe Cortez.
Again trying to fire back at Ishida, Kirkland did land a hard shot of his own, before he was put down flat on his back by a big, left/right combo to the jaw. This time Cortez waved the fight off immediately. The time was just one minute and 52-seconds. Ishida, who has never been stopped, is now 23-6-2(8). Kirkland is now 27-1(24).
Golden Boy had a lot of big plans for the exciting Kirkland, but those plans took a huge hit last night. What is perhaps most troubling is the fact that Ishida, though talented and proven at world class, is not a known puncher (just those 8 KO’s). Has the time Kirkland spent in jail affected his skills, or was his lack of attention to defence a major factor in his loss? Kirkland protested Cortez’ decision to halt the fight, but really “Fair But Firm” had no other option.
At age 27 Kirkland is young enough to be able to regroup and come back, but it will be a real test of character for him to do so. As for Ishida, he may well get a big opportunity after doing what he did last night at The MGM Grand!