By Jake Donovan
If there’s anyone more excited than boxing fans about the upcoming springtime matchup between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and James Kirkland, it’s perhaps the fighters themselves.
Alvarez announced his return “home” to HBO last September following a five-fight stint with Showtime. The motivation behind his walking back across the street was to reclaim showcase appearances on Cinco de Mayo weekend and Mexican Independence Day in September.
For the moment, his mouthwatering showdown with Kirkland is targeted for May 2 in San Antonio. HBO will televise the bout live on its flagship network.
Neither fighter comes in riding a wave of ring activity, which only says that much more about their willingness to seek the toughest available challenge for their next fight. Alvarez’ last ring appearance came in July, scoring a 12-round decision over Erislandy Lara for his second straight win following a Sept. ’13 loss to Floyd Mayweather. The only upside to the lone defeat of Alvarez’ career was that it headlined the most lucrative event in boxing history.
Kirkland has been out of the ring even longer, having sat out all of 2014 – entirely his own doing after rejecting several fight offers. His last fight was vintage Kirkland, scoring a savage 6th round knockout of Glen Tapia in Atlantic City, New Jersey, his most impressive showing since his off-the-canvas 6th round knockout of Alfredo Angulo more than two years prior.
Even in defeat, Kirkland makes for memorable action. His lone setback came in April ’11, suffering a shocking 1st round knockout at the hands of Nobuhiro Ishida. He’s since won five straight, with the only dud coming in a 10th round disqualification win over Carlos Molina, who has been in his fair share of stinkers over the years.
Given the fighting styles of Alvarez and Kirkland, fans are overwhelmingly enthusiastic for May 2 – or perhaps later, should a certain “dream fight” materialize – and for good reason.
“They just know what I bring to the table. They know what Saul Alvarez brings to the table,” Kirkland (34-1, 28KOs) says of the matchup. “It's just one of those particular fights that fans been waiting on. It’s a big opportunity for me, big opportunity for him. We're just coming to bring our all on that particular date.”
When asked for two words to describe the forthcoming fight, Kirkland perfectly summed up the scouting report.
“Action-packed,” Kirkland simply exclaimed. “Reason why, he's going to come to put on a show. My friends and family know that's what I come to do.”
The bout will take place at a catchweight of 155 lb., which was also the case for Alvarez’ last two fights – a decision win over Lara and a 10th round stoppage of Angulo. Kirkland’s knockout win over Tapia was fought at a 156 lb. catchweight.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox