Kirkland-Angulo
HBO BOXING AFTER DARK MAIN PITS ONCE BEATEN WORLD RATED PUGS
San Francisco, CA– Boxing fans should be in for a great post Halloween-treat this weekend when Alfredo Angulo (20-1, 17 KO) battles James Kirkland (29-1, 26 KOs) in a junior-middleweight (154 lbs) non-title showdown from Cancun, MX, on HBO. It is a “can’t miss “ affair if ever there ws one seeing both fighters are known for their aggressive, face-first styles.
KIRKLAND’S CAREER DELAYED BY PRISON
After turning professional in 2001, Kirkland first began making a name for himself in 2008 when he stopped once beaten Eromosele Albert in one round in an HBO televised fight. On that same card, Angulo made a splash in a back-and-forth brawl with the rugged Richard Guiterrez, which he would win by stoppage in round five. At the time, it appeared to be only a matter of time before the two would meet in the ring.
DEFINITION OF “CROSSROADS” FIGHT OF TWO BANGERS
Three years later, the fight is finally happening, although the circumstances are probably not quite what either fighter envisioned. That each now has a loss on his record is not shocking, brawlers with little regard for defense usually lose a few. But what couldn’t have been foreseen three years ago is that both men are still floating around in contender-status, with not even an alphabet belt among the two of them.
ANGULO WENT CROSS COUNTRY IN CAR ARRIVING ON WEIGH IN DAY
For Angulo, the problems began with reported questions about his work visa. That caused some some people, one writer in particular, to imply that’s the reason his team drove cross country in a car from Coachella, CA to Hollywood, FL, this instead of boarding a flight because apparently the visa was for AA’s only loss to Kermit Cintron in May 2009. It was said AA arrived the day before the fight. Arriving the day before a fight, or the day of a weigh in, this in addition with issues with then-promoter Gary Shaw, Angulo had more problems that he could handle and left the ring a loser via UD 12.
DAREDEVIL KIRKLAND HAS THE MOST ON THE LINE
On the other side, Kirkland, who was previously promoted by Gary Shaw as well, went on a good run with a series of exciting wins over the likes of Colombian puncher Joel Julio, was taken out of action for two years and two days after getting caught carrying a concealed weapon, Not only was there the gun charge, but was also a parole violation. Now promoted Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, both fighters are looking to leap to the next level with a victory. Even though the fight has not generated the type of interest had it taken place in the states, it’s still a captivating matchup that should have the boxing world’s undivided attention.
BOTH ANGULO & KIRKLAND WERE STELLAR AMATEURS
Angulo was a Mexican amateur titleholder who represented his people in the 2004 Olympics. Kirkland, runner up in the 2004 Nationals, he went 134-12 fighting for trophies and ribbons, opting out of a run at the Olympics in order to turn professional because of financial needs.
NEITHER ARE WILLIE PEP & ANGULO’S BEEN OFF 15 MONTHS
Not the type of fighters to try and “hit without being hit,” to say that these two matchup well would be an understatement. The big question is which fighter will be able to absorb the punishment and stay standing A year ago the answer would have been Angulo, without hesitation. But after fighting less than a single round in the last 15 months, one has to wonder what effects the time off might have.
JAMES VICTIM OF GLASS JAW OR LUCKY SHOT?
Angulo’s not the only one with him though. After returning to the ring in March, Kirkland was dropped three times and stopped inside of one round by the light-hitting Nobuhiro Ishida (23-6, 8KO) in April of this year. Now training with Ann Wolfe again, Kirkland has won two consecutive bouts by stoppage since his getting drilled. It remains to be seen if the Ishida embarrassment was a result of a weak chin, poor conditioning and ring rust.
DAVE SAYS DON’T BET THE DISTANCE!
All bull s*it aside, two things appear certain. 1) This will be a fight to remember. 2) It won’t go twelve rounds.
David Lopez