By Ryan Burton

Junior middleweight contender James Kirkland (31-1, 27KOs) has for the most art been out of the public's eye since declining a fight against Canelo Alvarez last year while he recovered from shoulder surgery. Since then he has been embattled in a lawsuit against his promoter Golden Boy Promotions. 

The Texas native appeared on this week's edition of BoxingScene Radio and spoke on a variety of topics including his stirring November 2011 knockout victory over Alfredo Angulo (22-2, 18KOs). Kirkland feels that Angulo has what it takes to become a champion again (Angulo had held an interim title).

 

"This is what I say about Alfredo Angulo. He's an awesome fighter. I just have the potential needed to beat Angulo. I don't know about these other guys that fight him because he is a true champion. I just know I was able to break him. I know and he knows that I would be able to beat him in a rematch," Kirkland stated.

Angulo badly hurt and dropped Kirkland early in the first round but Kirkland was able to gather himself and scored a knock down of his own after Angulo tired considerably after throwing many a barrage of punches as he tried to finish off Kirkland.   Angulo wasn't able to fully recover from the knock down which led to speculation that Angulo punched himself out. The fight was waived off in the 6th round when Angulo absorbed considerable punishment and wasn't punching back.

Kirkland disagrees with that speculation and said that he would be open to facing Angulo in a rematch. 

"A lot of people say that he punched himself out but I know that a fighter who's in shape should be able to throw 100 punches a round and regroup. I just know that Kirkland can beat Angulo but I am never going to take anything away from him because he's a great fighter and friend. I am live on the radio right now and I will tell him if you want Kirkland again you can have it any day," Kirkland told BoxingScene Radio.

Angulo faces Erislandy Lara in a high profile Showtime televised fight on June 8th.

You can listen to the interview in its entirety by clicking here: http://tobtr.com/s/4698673

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com . Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to BoxingScene Radio, BoxingScene's official audio on Tuesdays from 6-8PM PST. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton