James Kirkland (boxer)

James Kirkland
Statistics
Real name	James Derick Kirkland
Nickname(s)	Mandingo Warrior
Rated at	Light middleweight
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Reach	70 in (178 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	March 19, 1984 Austin, Texas, U.S.
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	34
Wins	32
Wins by KO	28
Losses	2

James Derick Kirkland (born March 19, 1984) is an American professional boxer and former WBO–NABO super welterweight champion.^[1] In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Kirkland was one of the world's most prominent super welterweights prospects until an 18-month prison stint knocked his career off-track.^[2]

Amateur career

Kirkland has an amateur record of 134–12. and won the Silver Gloves championship four years in a row and lost on a controversial decision to James Patterson in the finals of the National Golden Gloves.

Instead of going to the Olympics, Kirkland turned professional to provide for his family.^[3]

Professional career

Kirkland turned professional in August 2001 in San Antonio, Texas. In his debut Kirkland defeated fellow debutant Maurice Chalmers with a third round knockout.^[1] Kirkland has been trained by former women's champion Ann Wolfe since 2001.^[4] On November 22, 2008, Kirkland (24–0, 21 KOs) won an 8th round technical knockout versus Brian Vera (16–2, 10 KOs). Kirkland dropped Vera twice in Round 2.^[5] On March 7, 2009, Kirkland defeated Joel Julio on HBO's Boxing After Dark at the HP Pavilion in San Jose by TKO after Round 6.

Return to boxing

On March 5, 2011, Kirkland returned to the ring after an almost 2-year layoff to defeat Ahsandi Gibbs via first round KO. On April 9, 2011, Kirkland faced Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan, in what was supposed to be a stay-busy fight for Kirkland. However, in a stunning upset, the previously undefeated Kirkland was stopped in the first round by the Japanese fighter, who isn't known for being a big puncher having only 7 KO's in 29 fights, getting knocked down 3 times. After the loss, Kirkland split with trainer Kenny Adams and reunited with Ann Wolfe. Kirkland and Wolfe had broken up after Kirkland went to prison.

Kirkland came back from his first-round knockout loss to score three knockdowns over Alexis Hloros en route to a second-round knockout. He entered the fight his usual aggression, looking to mix it up immediately and scored two knockdowns in the opening round. First, Hloros went down during a flurry and then he took a knee during another stream of punches.^[2]

On November 5, 2011, in a highly exciting fight, Kirkland rose from a first round knockdown to defeat Angulo via 6th round TKO.^[6][7]

In addition to his aforementioned victories over Angulo, Kirkland's other notable wins have been against Brian Vera (TKO8), who just lost a controversial decision to Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., Joel Julio (TKO6) and Eromosele Albert (TKO1).^[8]

On October 16, 2013 it was announced that Kirkland, has signed with promoter/rap star 50 Cent and his company SMS Promotions and has his next fight lined up.^[9]

On December 7, 2013, Kirkland continued his winning ways with a sixth-round TKO of 23-year-old prospect Glen Tapia at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. In the article, Kirkland was described as 'potentially, the most dominant offensive force in boxing since a prime Mike Tyson'.^[10]

Kirkland vs. Alvarez

Kirkland fought former Super Welterweight Champion Saúl Álvarez after his decision victory over Erislandy Lara on July 12.^[11] The fight took place on May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas with Kirkland losing by KO in 3rd round.

Outside the ring

As of 2009, Kirkland was on probation for an armed robbery conviction in 2003, for which he spent 30 months in prison.^[12]

On Sunday, April 19, 2009, Kirkland was stopped in Austin traffic and arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon, with a possibility of prison time if he is convicted.^[13] On Wednesday, September 23, 2009, Kirkland was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to the firearm charge. Kirkland was released from prison in September 2010 and spent several more months in a halfway house in Austin, Texas.^[14]

In June 2013, Kirkland was again arrested - this time for assault - and jailed in Texas. Ring observers believe that these legal troubles will negatively impact Kirkland's career.^[15]

Professional boxing record

References

1. Boxrec. "James Kirkland". Boxrec Fighter Page. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
2. Dan Rafael. "Peter Quillin takes aim at title shot". ESPN. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
3. Gabriel Montoya. "James Kirkland: "No man at 154 can beat me"". Boxrec Fighter Page. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
4. Gerald Rice. "Exclusive Boxing Interview : James Kirkland and Anne Wolf". Saddo Boxing. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
5. "Ricky Hatton exorcises demons, erases memory of loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2008-11-23. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
6. "James Kirkland comes from behind to beat Alfredo Angulo - ESPN". Espn.go.com. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
7. "Kirkland vs. Angulo, Pacquiao's next opponent and more - Chris Mannix - SI.com". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
8. "James Kirkland Signs With 50 Cent, Fights Dec. 7". Thesweetscience.com. 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
9. "50 cent signs James Kirkland - ESPN". Espn.go.com. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
10. "James Kirkland Signs with 50 cent - Yahoo". Sports.yahoo.com. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
11. http://www.boxingscene.com/de-la-hoya-sees-cotto-kirkland-canelos-future--79746
12. "The Daily Sports Herald: Prospect Watch: James Kirkland". Thedailysportsherald.blogspot.com. 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
13. "James Kirkland held in custody on weapons charge - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
14. "James Kirkland Released From Prison, Returns 11/6 - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
15. http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/6/16/4436814/james-kirkland-arrested-and-jailed-for-assault-in-texas

External links

• Official website
• James Kirkland on Twitter
• James Kirkland on Facebook
• Professional boxing record for James Kirkland from BoxRec
• James Kirkland bio file interview