Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland
Hogan Photos
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
While the biggest concern for this fight seems to be the fact that Ann Wolfe and her scary penis will be missing from James Kirkland’s corner, I’m more concerned with Kirkland’s beard.
His shocking stoppage loss to James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins fame certainly can’t be discounted as a blip on the radar. And I’m not buying the “poor training” excuse.
Dude was touched on the jaw and dropped like a bag of dirt. He also was seriously wounded against Alfredo “What Happened To Me?” Angulo before Angulo threw 897 punches in 2 minutes and died of exhaustion.
So can Kirkland hang in there with Canelo, who hits pretty damn hard himself? Maybe. But Canelo is certainly the more well-rounded fighter, and I think his boxing ability will prove to be the key.
Kirkland will start off strong, but Canelo will survive some rocky moments and score a knockout victory in a fantastic fight.
Prediction: Canelo
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
This has all the makings of an exciting, intense slugfest.
Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs) comes right at you and is an all-action warrior. At 31, his lone loss came without Ann Wolfe in his corner. On the eve of the biggest fight of his career, he has elected not to go with Wolfe. In the HBO 24/7 piece, he made it abundantly clear that he was loathed to discuss the subject. When the topic arose it was, smartly, changed quickly as Kirkland became visibly agitated.
Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs) is both young and experienced at just 24 years old. Frankly, he has not been impressive since stopping Josesito Lopez in September of 2012. In his last four fights, he struggled at times with Austin Trout, lost to Floyd Mayweather, had trouble making weight when meeting Alfredo Angulo, and squeaked out a split decision against Erislandy Lara last July.
We know what we are going to get with Alvarez. The question is, which Kirkland shows up? I have a lot of stock in having Wolfe in his corner. He has done really well with her and hasn’t done so well without her.
I will go with Alvarez. If Wolfe was in Kirkland’s corner Saturday night, I’d pick him to beat Alvarez hands down. The two are that good together. The fact remains she isn’t.
Prediction: Canelo
Don Hollingsworth Jr.
Cinnamon got ’em. I’m seeing signs in James Kirkland I do not like at all that I won’t speak of, but let’s just say too many WARS.
Kirkland may have a chance if he jumps on Cinnamon early and breaks down a fighter that has had a history of slowing down by the sixth or seventh–like in the Trout fight.
Prediction: Canelo
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
Well now that THAT’S all over with, we can send the casuals back to their UFC and NBA Playoff action and move on to a seriously salivating fight with all the ingredients of a “Fight of the Year” candidate.
Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirland has no other option but to be hard-fought, brutal, grinding and on the inside. Everything that the die hard boxing fan loves in the sport right up to the exotic venue, Minute Maid Park where the Houston Astros play.
Although I’m not completely counting out Kirkland without Ann Wolfe, I am on record saying he would stand a better chance in a war of attrition with her by his side. He hasn’t fought since December 2013 and hasn’t fought more than once in a year since 2011.
Unfortunately for Kirkland his straight forward style falls right into the hands of Canelo who loves nothing more than an opponent coming directly at him. Kirkland has a tough heart, but he’s been knocked down and out before and will surely find himself hurt this Saturday.
Canelo is just too good, too young and too ginger to lose this one. I’d be surprised to see Kirkland standing at the final bell.
Prediction: Canelo
Porfirio Barron Jr., Photographer
I’m a Canelo Alvarez fan, but I’m going with James Kirkland in this one.
Prediction: Kirkland
Omar Martinez, Photographer
Canelo Alvarez wins over James Kirkland.
Prediction: Canelo
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
Talk about another fight that’s a few years too late. If this fight had happened in 2012 like it was supposed to–which it didn’t due to Kirkland’s bum shoulder and dismay with the purse–it would’ve been the fight we wish we’re getting on Saturday.
Canelo has evolved into more of a boxer puncher at this point. I don’t think he’s that great at it against world class talent, but of course he looked great against “El Perro.” He followed that up with a serviceable, but controversial majority-decision victory against Lara four months later. Saturday marks three days shy of 10 months since that fight.
Kirkland on the other hand, hasn’t been in a pro bout in 17 months, coming in to this fight against a prime Canelo without Ann Wolfe. Okay, well who is his new trainer? Who? He’s only 29? Well damn. I don’t know what we’re getting here. The ring rust is penultimate on a long list of things I question Kirkland on going into Saturday. Will he have the tenacity he did against Glen Tapia almost a year and a half ago?
All signs point to a Canelo victory, looking at their career trajectories since the first attempt at this matchup in 2012, Canelo has gone on to face better opposition and won mostly all of those fights. He will look to out box Kirkland and I trust that busier, younger, and more experienced Canelo will have an easier time doing it Saturday, than he would’ve in 2012.
Prediction: Canelo
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Sometimes, the best fights are the most predictable ones. In regards to Canelo Alvarez and James Kirkland, we know who they are, and we know what they will bring to the table–that’s why this fight promises to be so exciting.
While I expect some grueling and tough early-round exchanges, Canelo will be happy that he doesn’t have to go searching for Kirkland–like he did with Austin Trout and Erislandy Lara.
Canelo’s punching accuracy and his ability to move in and out of range quickly will help him overwhelm Kirkland and earn a late-rounds stoppage.
Prediction: Canelo
