By James Slater: It has been reported that top-ranked 154-pounder James Kirkland’s recent shoulder surgery was a complete success, with the southpaw puncher now expected to go through a couple of weeks with his right arm in a sling and then two or so months of rehabilitation. Kirkland’s attorney, Michael Miller, told Ringtv.com that he hopes for a September return for his all-action fighter.
Of course, Kirkland, known as “The Mandingo Warrior” was far from exciting, or impressive, in his last fight, against Mexico’s Carlos Molina. It was during this fight – one that saw Kirkland emerge as, in the opinion of most, a very lucky (not to mention controversial) 10th-round DQ winner – that Kirkland injured his right shoulder. In light of the fact that Kirkland did hurt himself , maybe his sub par performance can be excused. Team-Molina, however, still await the results of the appeal they put in; attempting to get the DQ – caused by one of Molina’s corner-men entering the ring for a second or two at the most just after that 10th-round knockdown Kirkland scored at the bell – overturned to a No-Contest.
Kirkland, though, is moving on; possibly towards a big fight with reigning WBC 154-pound champ Saul Alvarez. Miller told Ringtv.com that this fight is definitely one he would like to see his fighter take:
“They’re talking about maybe Canelo,” Miller told Ringtv.com. “I don’t mind talking about that. That would be great. We would love to fight Canelo, but obviously Canelo’s got to get past Mosley. But Richard [Schaefer] called me last week. He said ‘when do you think [Kirkland] may be ready to do a Kirkland-Canelo show, maybe in September?’ We just hope that he gets back soon and gets back into training as soon as possible.”
Though fans of Molina and Molina himself will naturally feel that the fact that there will be no Kirkland-Molina II is unfair (and it is), a Kirkland-Alvarez fight would be a huge event; not to mention a sure-fire all-action fight. A fully healthy James Kirkland against one of the hottest Mexican stars to have emerged in years! What’s not to like? And styles make fights. Canelo would not use the largely negative (although undeniably effective) tactics his countryman Molina did when he fought the lefty last month.
Again, as Miller said, Canelo has to get past Mosley first (most fans feel he will do so, maybe even by KO), but it could be a big, big September for Kirkland and Alvarez if this mouth-watering match-up gets made.
Interestingly, Schaefer told Ringtv.com that Alvarez will be back in the ring on September 15th – whether he beats Mosley or not. “Sugar” Shane will of course be hoping to take the 21-year-old’s unbeaten record. But if the 40-year-old star fails to do so, warrior Kirkland may get his chance in Canelo’s very next fight.