Photo by Will Hart
Three months ago, upon hearing that he’d be schedule to fight Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs) on May 9 at the Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, James Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs) searched for a new trainer.
Kirkland, 31, wanted to keep his training camp in San Antonio, so he asked local trainers who would be the best option for him.
Rick Morones Jr. was mentioned by several of those trainers.
Morones is a San Antonio native who began training fighters at the young age of 18.
Since then, he has spent 11 years working with fighters such as Wilfredo Vasquez, Felipe Castaneda and Joseph Rios.
At 29 years old, when many in the boxing world at his age are seeking success in the ring, Morones is seeking success outside of it.
Or, more precisely, in its corner, aided by a motivation to be the best trainer in boxing.
“There’s a thing called opportunity. There was a first time that Freddie Roach worked a corner. There was a first time for Emanuel Steward,” said Morones, who is humble, but confident about his opportunities.
“I’m here, and I’m here to make the most of it,” said Morones, as he appeared on HBO’s “24/7: Canelo vs. Kirkland.”
Three months later, Kirkland is ready for the most important fight of his career and, in a phone interview with RBRBoxing.com, Morones talked to us about his background as a trainer, his relationship with Kirkland, and a bit of his plan for Saturday.
A New Team
A major storyline in this fight is the fact that Kirkland’s previous trainer, former world titlist Ann Wolfe, will not be in his corner for the most important fight of his career.
When asked about Wolfe on 24/7, Kirkland got visibly upset. It is a touchy issue about someone he really cares about.
Apparently, she never got the call, but many speculate that her absence may hinder his performance.
Morones, however brushes those speculations aside, and is solely focused on preparing Kirkland for war.
“It is what it is. I’m not here to worry about what people say. What I’m worried about is getting James prepared for May 9,” said Morones, who trains his fighters out of his family-owned Morones Boxing Gym in San Antonio.
“It’s up to him to say, but I think he was looking for more of the boxing. James felt he needed change, and felt he needed more in this fight,” said Morones.
“We want to keep the same James Kirkland, the one fans want to see. We want to keep that same animal mentality, but also to just have him be smarter in the ring,” said Morones.
That’s what has partly shaped Morones’ education as a young trainer–the belief that the fundamentals are extremely important, even in a fighter as aggressive and powerful as Kirkland.
In his many talks with the late Emanuel Steward and with fellow trainers Henry Ramirez, Mike Stafford and Nacho Beristain, Morones has only had this belief reinforced, along with learning new things from his esteemed colleagues.
Also important, says Morones, is mutual respect.
“When a fighter is comfortable with his trainer, and when a trainer is comfortable with a fighter, the sky’s the limit,” said Morones, as he emphasizes that his relationship with Kirkland, despite only being three months so far, has been great.
Also part of the team are Bremond “Bay Bay” McClinton, who is in charge of strength and conditioning, and assistant trainer Gerald Tucker.
Looking For The Upset
This Saturday, the team will have a lot to prove against Alvarez, in the main event of an HBO-televised card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and SMS Promotions (9:0 0 pm, EST/ 6:00, pm PST).
In front of them is the former WBA and WBC Junior Middleweight champion, a smart and powerful fighter with deceptively quick hands.
Alvarez has a tight defensive guard and does well against come-forward fighters, as was evinced by his stoppage win over the shop-worn Alfredo Angulo.
“He’s a good champion, a strong and very intelligent fighter,” said Morones, aware of the tough task ahead.
“We’re preparing for the best Canelo there is,” he continued.
Morones didn’t want to go too into detail about his plans for Saturday, but its pretty clear that Kirkland will look to smother the young Alvarez.
“He’s going to be on his ass, he’s going to work. James is an aggressive fighter. He’s going to right in front of you,” said Morones, before contrasting Kirkland’s style with that of Austin Trout and Erislandy Lara, who often use the ring before landing counter shots.
“We’re going to see what kind of chin Canelo possess,” said Morones.
“This fight ain’t going 12 rounds.”
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