Anyone else think that James Kirkland not fighting is good for him?

Lot of good replies and thoughts. If he must continue fighting, I wouldn't mind seeing him against lesser competition, for his own sake. I agree that the Canelos and Laras will only hurt him. I love boxing, but I love people firstly and would hate to see this sport ruin him. I also do agree that there is a great possibility that he can go wrong outside the ring as well. Maybe it makes me a jerk for saying; but if he is to destroy himself, I'd prefer it be away from the ring. I don't want my dime paying for it. However, it is possible (whether greatly or no) that he can actually turn his life around. He and Ann are from similar backgrounds and she seems to have made a decent life for herself. Hopefully, he will be able to, as well at some point.

Kirkland should fight more often of course. I doubt the guy will ever be a world champion. He has been fighting a long time and is not a champion. With 4 world titles in each weight class a real good fighter wins a world title long before they are Kirkland's age even if it's one of the weaker titles. Kirkland is exciting and he comes to fight. He throws lots of hard punches with both hands and he goes for the kill constantly. The problem is he is very easy to hit on the jaw and he doesn't take a punch very will. I think he will be in the bottom part of the top ten contenders for a year or two more but I don't think he is good enough to ever win a title. Possibly he could win a title over a Bundrage or Ishe Smith but Canelo or Lara would easily knock him out in my opinion. Kirkland is just not that good. He is way to easy to hit and too easy to hurt.

Kirkland is a beast in the ring, he was born to fight. He's ferocious and fearless and gives fans their money's worth. James Kirkland belongs in the ring fighting not d1cking around outside getting into trouble and spending money. I was Kirkland's promoter I would match him up against guys that would make him look good. I wouldn't put him in with Canelo or Lara until he's at that world level, again

Don't wanna sound like a d**k but I feel like he's either going to get ruined inside the ring or get into trouble and get ruined a different way outside the ring. You can't keep a guy like Kirkland outta trouble usually.

Oscar De La Hoya @OscarDeLaHoya · Nov 19 Great meeting up @KOKirkland! Let's see what he's up to in 2015! @GoldenBoyBoxing #PowerPunches #LethalCombination https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B21rwFIIIAAvoTG.jpg:large

He has to want to fight first and foremost. And all the delays recently have been due to money. If he doesn't feel like he's getting his just due how can he focus 100% on his fight? Also he needs to fight at least twice a year. Pretty soon he's going to be in his mid 30's and his style usually doesn't last that long

Worst user on this board. They aren't animals put on this earth for your entertainment. They are human beings with family friends and a career in boxing. He is trolling. Staying in character. Like Stephen Colbert of BS. My hats off to u sir. U do it well.

I do not agree at all. As a fan, I truly only care about my well being and entertainment. I only care about getting entertained at their expense so I want to see fighters like Kirkland be more active and provide me with fun wars. They get paid millions so that's the trade off. Exactly, Boxers ger their money, we get our entertainment. And if you dont entertain, fine, we'll pay another fighter who will. All I wish is for both fighters to be ok at the end of the bell, So that they could entertain me in the near future, the sooner the better. The Truth, Plain and simple.

Its plenty of things he can do..... Bouncer BodyGuard XXXstar ( Already has a XXX name ) Fitness/ Boxing Trainer He should have enough connects to find ways to get income........

Yes, its good for him to not fight, gives him more time to work on his armed robbery skills. :lol1: Dats fcked up on so many levels....but it made me laugh...smh

I agree with how you frame it as far as his desire to fight and his health. Not the sport for someone whose heart isn't in it. But on the other hand, him not being involved in boxing, training, keeping his time occupied, it might open him up to situations that he shouldn't be in. Boxing is a means and an end for someone like him I'd think. He has another sort of history that follows him around so I hope he doesn't drift too far away from his boxing.

I agree. I don't think this is a sport that one can invest themselves into halfheartedly; far too much to lose.

From the little I know of him through posts here on bscene I agree that it is good that Kirkland is not fighting right now. If his heart is not in the game he should not fight as his style can leave him and already has left him with physical damage (slurred speech). The fights that he has recently turned down (Canelo among others) were big dollar fights for him but that wasn't enough to entice him. In this game you need to be either all in or all out. Some say that boxing is all he can do but he'd be better off finding a new trade and prevent further damage. If he is to continue he needs to be all in and at the top of his game. He has given us some entertaining fights, but he needs to think about his health.

Yes, its good for him to not fight, gives him more time to work on his armed robbery skills. :lol1:

To be honest, I think if he's already broke then no amount of fighting now or later will help him in a financial aspect. I could be wrong, hope so, in fact. But, if you don't know how to manage a little, then, generally, you won't know how to manage a lot. I think he could probably get all the big fights out there now and get rich, but in the end, he'll still end up broke and do something detrimental outside of the ring. But, I do respect your point on that one, it's a good point.

Disagree. James Kirkland would be (more of) a criminal if he didn't box. He already is broke, owes a huge amount of child support and he seems to have no other skills that would help him making a living. He needs to be active in boxing for his own well being, besides the fact that he is fun to watch for the fans.

Don't get me wrong; as a fan, I love to watch the guy fight. With the exception of the Nobuhiro Ishida fight, he is very entertaining to watch. But, in all honesty, he's a very limited fighter. It seems rare that all action, high volume fighters have long successful careers and I don't see him as being one of the exceptions. I do think that he is his own worse enemy in regards to his career. But, I also think that, potentially, him being out of the ring for the moment will save him from some punishment and IF he does ever get his career back on track, will give him a few more good years and us a few more great fights. No, that's stupid. And he's more than a face 1st brawler. He's a brutal pressure fighter that outlands opponents 3 or 4 to 1. He's in his physical prime, he needs to fight. Now is the time to fight top opposition and make as much money as he can. The longer he sits, the worse it is. And it appears he is no longer with the Wolfe either which I'm not pleased about.

Those are good points, Elpacman. If he were able to change up his style, I don't think it would have to be anything drastic; a bit more defense on his part could do a world of good for him, I think. But, I'm not sure if Ann Wolfe (if she's still training him) can do that for him, but I also don't think James is as functional as a fighter without Wolfe. I definitely see your point about the ring rust, as well.

I don't think it's good but I see your concern. My concern would be all the punishment he takes in his fights is never a good thing. On the upside, I love seeing him fight as he's one of my favorite to see. All action fighter with crazy fights. The longer he's shelved, the more rust he can have when he comes back. But I also see where you don't want him to get too beat up and be spent early shortening his career lifespan. It's just the downsides of his style of fighting. It's not too late for him to change it up a bit and become more of a boxer but his style and who he is, I doubt you can change.

I do not agree at all. As a fan, I truly only care about my well being and entertainment. I only care about getting entertained at their expense so I want to see fighters like Kirkland be more active and provide me with fun wars. They get paid millions so that's the trade off. Worst user on this board. They aren't animals put on this earth for your entertainment. They are human beings with family friends and a career in boxing.