James Kirkland vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez By M.DeTyrone

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 6^th rounds.

I could also see Canelo winning via KO after the 4^th 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 6^th 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 3^rd round if goes past the 6^th 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.