Getting spoiled...first JMM/Diaz, now Kirkland/Julio. OFFICIAL POLL!!!

[ИATAS]

Two weeks in a row and quite possibly (knocks on wood) another FOTY candidate. At the very least it should be quite the ****er while it lasts.

Final predictions here.


James 'Mandingo' Kirkland
24-0 (KO 21)
24 years old
Southpaw
5′ 9″
70″ reach
Last five opponents: Brian Vera KO 8, Ricardo Cortes TKO 2, Eromosele Albert TKO 1, Allen Conyers TKO 1, Mohammad Said KO 2.


Joel 'Love Child' Julio
34-2 (KO 31)
24 years old
Orthodox
5′ 10″
72″ reach
Last five opponents: Sergiy Dzinziruk LOSS UD, Jose Varela RTD, Ishe Smith UD, Cornelius Bundrage TKO 8, Mauro Lucero KO 1

[savorduhflavor]

I think they're mirror images of eachother. Two fairly limited big punchers. However, Julio is more battle tested and I think his experience will pay off. Kirkland gasses, and looked pedestrian against Vera.

I got Julio KO7.

[BrendanWoodside]

I got The Love Child by KO circa round 6 or 7

[Sin City]

I dunno about this one. It should be a good fight though.

[ИATAS]

My opinion is this is an even match that can go either way, however I think the intangibles go to Kirkland. I think the want, the determination and the fire inside him will force him to go the extra mile to do whatever it takes to get Julio out.

[BrendanWoodside]

This one should be a firefight for as long as it lasts

[ИATAS]

Best card of the month for sure. Best card in a while.

[RRICAN]

cant wait ... i hope the trend continues....

[ShalafiV.2]

Julio will finish exposing that over hyped Kirkland. Although I would wanted to see El Perro do it I'll be OK with Julio doing it as well.

[TintaBoricua]

HBO's been deliverin' the goods this year:

Mosley/Margarito
Marquez/Diaz

Kirkland's got skills and all, but his last two performances...even though he scored the knockouts. Brian Vera...who was he really? I know he knocked out Andy Kolle(?) on FNF, but that was a sloppy fight against a sloppy fighter. Kirkland could've outpointed Vera easily if he showed a little more polish. Great win, though. The previous win...I have it somewhere in my collection, was a 2nd round KO, but he acted too eager in there, as Wolfe commentated after the fight, since Krikland was in his hometown trying to impress the crowd.

Julio, on the other hand, IS more battle-tested, and has that BIG PUNCH factor. If Kirkland comes in a little bit sloppy, it's over.

I hope Kirkland wins, though. He cannot afford to get reckless in there. Regardless, this has got action written all over it if it plays out like we're all expecting it to. Let's see the fireworks!