Photo by Ed Mulholland
James Kirkland vs. Glen Tapia
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
James Kirkland is an exciting action fighter. He finally has a promoter he can get along with in 50 Cent and SMS Promotions. And, he’s been reunited with long-time trainer, Ann Wolfe. I expect a motivated, if not rusty fighter. If he can escape the early rounds I believe his toughness and the crude and harsh training regimen of Wolfe will pay off and carry him to a victory.
Prediction: Kirkland
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
James Kirkland returns to the boxing ring after an unusual long lay-off that included him fighting in court to be released from his promotional company and managerial team. Also, splitting with longtime trainer Ann Wolfe, just to return back to her. He is coming back to fight a tough, up-and-coming fighter in Glen Tapia. Tapia showcased his guts and talents in a back-and-forth war with Abraham Han on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. The potential is too high in the young Tapia to be derailed by the troubled Kirkland. I have Tapia winning by knockout sometime in this fight.
Prediction: Tapia
Jose Sotomayor, Contributing Writer
This is a barn burner. Although coming of the long lay-off, James Kirkland will be out to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with and will not be side tracked by a young and hungry up-and-coming prospect. His pressure will be the key. Glen Tapia is the better boxer of the two and will have to use his jab and the ring to keep Kirkland at bay. Tapia should stay away from rough exchanges, but that may be very difficult against a guy like Kirkland.
Prediction: Kirkland
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This fight is a big step up for Glen Tapia and he states he is ready and has been waiting for a fight like this. Question is, is this too big of a step up? The answer is no. Taking nothing away from Tapia or James Kirkland, this fight is perfect for Tapia as Kirkland has been inactive for 19 months, has not even been in the gym, put on a lot of weight, and has had a lot on his mind legally. Plus side is that he has Ann Wolf as his trainer again, and she definitely whooped him into shape. Tapia should not look to bang, as Kirkland will make him pay, but the ring rust will show and Tapia will take advantage.
Prediction: Tapia
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Glen Tapia looks to make a statement against James Kirkland. Kirkland looks to get his career back on track and has gone back to his old trainer Ann Wolfe. The concern for Kirkland is ring rust. James tends to start slow as it is and can hit the deck early. Tapia, for his part, is a big rugged fighter and look for him to come out and try and hurt Kirkland early. If James can survive the first few rounds he has a shot, but I think the layoff and all the outside distractions have caught up to him.
Prediction: Tapia
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Out of all the fights going down on Saturday night, this one is the most difficult one for me to pick. Glen Tapia is the young gun, James Kirkland is the tough-as-nails veteran. Aside from all the drama Kirkland’s been through with promoters and companies which can drive anyone crazy, he’s been inactive since March of 2012. That’s tough for any guy to overcome. To Kirkland’s credit, he’s not wasting anytime with an easy tune up. If Tapia can control the pace early on and make Kirkland work, he will be setting himself up for a good late-round victory. But, if Kirkland can bate Tapia into a shootout early on, all hell could break loose and either man can score a KO victory. I’m betting that Tapia will be able to dictate the pace and fight his fight. Either way, this should be fun to watch.
Prediction: Tapia
