Looking to add to an already sold team, handlers for rising prospect Ryan 'Blue Chip' Martin have enlisted the services of renowned cornerman Russ Anber. The addition comes as Martin prepares for a May 9 showcase appearance on the undercard of the highly anticipated clash between Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and James Kirkland at Minute Main Park in Houston.
It will have been 16 months since James Kirkland entered a prizefight by the time he faces Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in the ring on May 9 in Houston, Texas. The two all-action fighters collide in a 155 lb. catchweight bout, one that has been nearly three years in the making. For reasons only Kirkland can explain—but never will—just one fight has come in the time since he was first offered the opportunity to face Alvarez in Sept. ’12. That one bout was a hell of a solo performance, surviving an early rush from Glen Tapia to nearly decapitate the then-unbeaten junior middleweight, scoring a violent 6th round knockout in their Dec. ’13 brawl.
Any time a fight is mentioned involving Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez or James Kirkland, an action-packed affair is expected to follow. Now that they are scheduled to face each other, fans are expecting an all-out brawl when they collide May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Kirkland is rarely if ever in a stinker of a fight. An exception came in March ’12, when he struggled to adapt to the awkward style of perennial spoiler Carlos Molina before settling for a disqualification win. Oddly enough the fight was supposed to lead to a Sept. ’12 clash between Kirkland and Alvarez. The fight fell through for reasons beyond Alvarez’ control, as well as two other opponents before settling on Josesito Lopez, whom he destroyed in five one-sided rounds.
SAN DIEGO - Radio Rahim catches up with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs), who today hosted a media workout at the House of Boxing in San Diego in advance of his fight against Texas titan James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs) on May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and telecast live on HBO World Championship Boxing ®. Tickets priced at $350, $150, $100, $50, $25 and $10, plus applicable fees and service charges, are available for purchase at Astros.com/boxing, the Minute Maid Park Box Office (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com. There is a 19-ticket limit per household.
SAN DIEGO - Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs) today hosted a media workout at the House of Boxing in San Diego in advance of his fight against Texas titan James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs) on May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and telecast live on HBO World Championship Boxing ®. Oscar De La Hoya, President and Founder of Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Alvarez' manager and co-trainer, Chepo Reynoso and head trainer Eddy Reynoso were all on hand for today's media day. Canelo Alvarez, Former WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion: "I feel very happy. I am ready to fight tomorrow if needed. I feel excited that the fight is around the corner. "Kirkland's style will complement mine, he is a fighter that likes to come forward and May 9 will bring a great fight for all the fans. "We have the right strategy to beat James Kirkland. I have been sparring with southpaws to be prepared. Kirkland is a strong puncher, but I am also a strong fighter. On fight night I plan to hit hard but I also plan to fight an intelligent fight.
The only loss on James Kirkland’s ledger came on a night when Ann Wolfe wasn’t just notably missing from his corner, but also not around to “babysit” and make sure he conducted himself as a fighter should through training camp. A lack of discipline cost Kirkland his perfect record, suffering a 1st round knockout versus journeyman Nobuhiro Ishida in April ’11. Conversely, the two most notable wins of his career to date came with Wolfe an ever visible and vocal presence in his corner. Wolfe was as motivating as she was instructional in Kirkland delivering violent knockout wins over Alfredo Angulo—surviving a disastrous 1st minute of the fight to do so—and Glen Tapia in his last ring appearance well over a year ago.
SAN DIEGO - Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs) went through a tough workout at a media day held at the House of Boxing in San Diego in advance of his fight against Texas titan James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs) on May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and telecast live on HBO World Championship Boxing ®. Tickets priced at $350, $150, $100, $50, $25 and $10, plus applicable fees and service charges, are available for purchase at Astros.com/boxing, the Minute Maid Park Box Office (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com . There is a 19-ticket limit per household.
SAN DIEGO - Radio Rahim catches up with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs), who was cracking the heavy bag and speed bag at a media workout at the House of Boxing in San Diego in advance of his fight against Texas titan James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs) on May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and telecast live on HBO World Championship Boxing ®. Tickets priced at $350, $150, $100, $50, $25 and $10, plus applicable fees and service charges, are available for purchase at Astros.com/boxing, the Minute Maid Park Box Office (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, online at <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/">www.ticketmaster.com</a> . There is a 19-ticket limit per household.
SAN DIEGO - Radio Rahim catches up with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs), who was cracking the pads at a media workout at the House of Boxing in San Diego in advance of his fight against Texas titan James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs) on May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and telecast live on HBO World Championship Boxing ®. Tickets priced at $350, $150, $100, $50, $25 and $10, plus applicable fees and service charges, are available for purchase at Astros.com/boxing, the Minute Maid Park Box Office (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com. There is a 19-ticket limit per household.
SAN DIEGO - Radio Rahim catches up with Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya, who handles Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs). Canelo hosted a media workout at the House of Boxing in San Diego in advance of his fight against Texas titan James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs) on May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and telecast live on HBO World Championship Boxing ®. Tickets priced at $350, $150, $100, $50, $25 and $10, plus applicable fees and service charges, are available for purchase at Astros.com/boxing, the Minute Maid Park Box Office (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com. There is a 19-ticket limit per household.