James
Kirkland vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
By
M.DeTyrone
According
to GBP they promote the Kirkland vs. Canelo fight on May 2, 2015 opposite a
possible Cotto vs. Mayweather Jr. Due to the fact that they feel Canelo is
ethnically entitled to fight on Cinco de Mayo weekend, and they wish to rival
Mayweather Jr. PPV dominance on that holiday. On paper this fight looks very
interesting for the fans. There’s a slugger with bad defense and vicious power
vs. a want to be boxer-puncher with bad stamina and overrated power. However if Kirkland isn’t trained by Anne
Wolfe might as well count on Kirkland being TKO’d by Canelo, in my opinion.
Kirkland has been inactive since 12/7/13 after he destroyed the tough as nails but
inexperience boxer Glenn Tapia there hasn’t been much heard about Kirkland.
Both
Kirkland and Alvarez have a common opponent that being Alfredo Angulo.
1.
James
Kirkland defeated Alfredo Angulo via TKO 6 in 2011 at 154 lbs.
2.
Saul
Alvarez defeated Alfredo Angulo via TKO 10 in 2014 at 155 lbs.
Canelo’s
victory was 3 years later, 4 rounds later, than Kirkland. Mind you at 155 lbs.
catchweight Angulo was a shell of what he was and was hit with everything
Canelo could hit him with and Angulo never hit the canvas.
Let’s
look at the numbers:
Kirkland
32-1 (28KO): 93% of Kirkland KO’s have
been within the first 6 rounds and 79% of his KO’s has been within the first 3
rounds. Kirkland is a vicious powerful slugger that seeks and destroys. He’s
all about annihilation of his opponents but lacks defense. Kirkland is 5-1
(4KO) with a 67% KO in his last 6 fights versus opponents of a combined record
of 113-21-7.
Saul
“Canelo” Alvarez 44-1-1 (31KO): Versus
the last 6 opponent with a combined record of 187-15-3 Canelo is 5-1 (2KO)
that’s a 33% KO. He has looked poorly vs. the last two pure-boxers and now they
will put him vs. a slugger that has been inactive since 2013.
Of
their total KO’s…
Rounds
1-6: James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland 93%
KO -- Saul “Canelo” Alvarez 70%KO
Rounds
7-12: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez 30% KO
-- James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland 7% KO
Of
their total KO’s…
Round
1: Kirkland 9 KO’s – Alvarez 5 KO’s
Round
2: Alvarez 7 KO’s – Kirkland 5 KO’s
Round
3: Kirkland 8KO’s – Alvarez 1 KO
Round
4: Alvarez 4 KO’s – Kirkland 0 KO’s
Round
5: Alvarez 3KO’s – Kirkland 0 KO’s
Round
6: Alvarez 3KO’s – Kirkland 3 KO’s
On
paper I would pick Kirkland to hurt or KO Canelo early and finish him within 6th
rounds.
I
could also see Canelo winning via KO after the 4th round. However,
Kirkland has KO’s and defeated true Jr. Middleweights and not blown up
welterweights like Canelo has. Kirkland must work Canelo’s body and impose his
will on him by making it into a dog fight by not giving Canelo any space. The
key is to avoid Canelo’s repetitive combinations and his right hand early in
the fight. If Kirkland can work Canelo’s body early and take it past the 6th
round… then Kirkland can punish Canelo and take him out.
Basically,
this fight is going to come down to various elements among them will be which
boxer will impose their will and power on the other, which boxer chin can endure
the power of the other, and stamina. Will Canelo’s stamina hold up to
Kirkland’s onslaught past the 3rd round if goes past the 6th
round it will be a miracle. The biggest factor of the fight will be will if
Anne Wolfe trains Kirkland. Again, without Anne Wolfe, in my opinion, Kirkland
will not be the same and will be defeated.
