Picked this matchup not because it will happen next but because James is Dan's #1 mandatory and the fight will have to happen eventually if neither loses to someone in the meantime. Before this fight I would have picked Santos, but Kirkland is young and improving. Stopped Julio in 6, who went 12rds with top3 JMW Dzinziruk.
I like Santos to do enough boxing to win a decision. I think this would be a gripping, grueling fight. I'd personally love to see it next.
Santos SD/MD 12.
Kirkland's d is still leaky though.
Don't pretend you haven't seen him dropped.
Sure Santos isn't invincible. But him and the other top dogs have a ton more skill then Julio.
Yeah but he comes in so fast, I think there are few with the footwork good enough to keep distance and outbox him soundly
Santos would put him down.
Not completely confident in that pick, but thats what I would bet. Santos would stand his ground while Kirkland came at him, looking for big counters. With Kirkland wide open style I see him getting hit flush and often.
WTF? julio only had a experience advantages.
Santos is way of Kirklands league right now, so is Martinez and Drikzinik.
Matter of facts kirklands style, will be easy for pure boxers.
By the way, please dont tell me, you just compare Santos to julio, because they are the exact opposites!!!!!!!!!
I think Julio is on the same level as Santos, Martinez, Dzinziruk.
Lol at the poll, kirkland winning.hahahhaha
Santos pack a decent punch, and very good boxing skills and have a chin. kirkland only goes forward, with no head movement and he lower his hand after 3 rounds. Santos would have a picknik with him. Santos would win a easy UD or TKos Kirkland late!!!!!!!!!!!
Those are the same advantages Julio had...
Santos has been there with the toughest, and against Margarito, so he has experience.
Santos UD12.
Theres a big difference between Margarito's pressure and Kirkland's pressure. James is faster, hits harder and less predictable
Kirkland is relentless, has the heart of a lion but he's extremely crude and he's open for counters. Santos is a big at 154 has good power and very solid boxing skills. He would a field day countering Kirland and would knock him out. This would would all depend on Santos being focused and in shape something he's been lacking through most of his career.
Picked this matchup not because it will happen next but because James is Dan's #1 mandatory and the fight will have to happen eventually if neither loses to someone in the meantime. Before this fight I would have picked Santos, but Kirkland is young and improving. Stopped Julio in 6, who went 12rds with top3 JMW Dzinziruk.
I think santos might be able to fight off the ropes and clinch better than joel... not sure if santos can handle the pressure
I think Julio would give Kirkland a lot of problems. But he only fights like once a year so I have to think Krikland would grind him down a bit.
Yeah Santos pulled out of the Martinez fight for not enough time to prepare, but I think he is ready to fight in April if King finds an opponent for him; division is deep shouldn't be an issue. But Santos and Julio both lost close decisions to Dzinziruk. Who performed better against him I'm not sure I haven't seen every rd from the Julio's fight. But using that as barometer you have to put Kirkland in top5 @JMW now, definitely ahead of Verno Phillips and Sergio Mora.