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I love this article about James Kirkland and his latest fight that Stephen "Breadman" Edwards wrote a few days ago. After reading this article I think Kirkland should start calling himself "Dead Game". That should definitely be his new nickname. It's just so perfect!!!!
DEAD GAME JAMES
"As a youth I used to visit my grandparents who lived in the southwest section of Philadelphia. In this area there was a swampy, forbidden area called Cobbs Creek. Also in this area there was a ruthless activity that took place. Dog fighting. The dogs that were fought were mostly pitbulls. The owners of these dogs labeled the dogs that had most staying power, Dead Game. Dead Game means the dog that will fight until he dies. Simple explanation. Not the dog who will fight hard for a while. Not the dog who will fight with a broken leg. Not the dog who will fight for 2 hours. All of those dogs fell short, to the Dead Game dog. The Dead Game dog had a one track mind. Kill or be killed. That dog knew he could please his master with nothing less than being willing to die in the glory of the fight.
After watching James Kirkland's performance last night, he reminded me of a Dead Game dog. Alfredo Angulo's nickname is "The Dog". But Kirkland was the fighter in the ring last night that was willing to die for his glory.
Kirkland was up against it in every way. Angulo may not be the best junior middleweight but he is the most feared. Kirkland took Angulo on in his country. Kirkland was also knocked out in 1 round, just a few fights ago. 9 out of 10 experts gave Kirkland very little chance to win this fight. Some even believed Kirkland's promoter Golden Boy was cashing him out.
Kirkland did not care about any of that. He didn't care about the crowd or the judges. He only cared about one thing. Pleasing his master. Ann Wolfe. Wolfe is the most notable female trainer in boxing. Kirkland was undefeated with Wolfe in his corner. His lone loss came when Wolfe was not at the leash.
Kirkland blamed that loss on Wolfe not being around to prepare him. Some thought it was an excuse but Kirkland proved it was a REASON. Wolfe put Kirkland's body through things that Navy Seales would cringe at. Fighting 5 men at a time, with his hands tied. Punching him in the stomach after a 7 mile brisk run. Forcing him to spar 5 times a week in over 100 degree heat. Forcing him to spar men that are 50lbs heavier than him. Kirkland's body his hardened, his mind is prepared for DEATH.
That brings us to the fight. Kirkland attacked Angulo like the typical assassin like dog. He was bit back in the form of a knockdown, a clean hard right hand counter. Kirkland was wounded but he enjoyed that. He fought on and was able to knock Angulo down. Kirkland bit(punched) at Angulo over 100 times in the first round. His demonic tenacity reminded me of when Aaron Pryor attacked Alexis Arguello. Pryor and Kirkland did not care about running out of gas, because they knew what they had in the gas tank. Kirkland threw over 550 punches in 5 1/2 rounds of action.
Kirland took the fight out of Angulo when he became immune to his bites in around the 4th round. He carried Angulo so fast and bit him so hard, the gutsy Angulo capitulated to one of the most ferocious performances of modern times. Kirkland wanted to please his master and that he did. He fought how he is trained. Like a DEAD GAME dog".
"As a youth I used to visit my grandparents who lived in the southwest section of Philadelphia. In this area there was a swampy, forbidden area called Cobbs Creek. Also in this area there was a ruthless activity that took place. Dog fighting. The dogs that were fought were mostly pitbulls. The owners of these dogs labeled the dogs that had most staying power, Dead Game. Dead Game means the dog that will fight until he dies. Simple explanation. Not the dog who will fight hard for a while. Not the dog who will fight with a broken leg. Not the dog who will fight for 2 hours. All of those dogs fell short, to the Dead Game dog. The Dead Game dog had a one track mind. Kill or be killed. That dog knew he could please his master with nothing less than being willing to die in the glory of the fight.
After watching James Kirkland's performance last night, he reminded me of a Dead Game dog. Alfredo Angulo's nickname is "The Dog". But Kirkland was the fighter in the ring last night that was willing to die for his glory.
Kirkland was up against it in every way. Angulo may not be the best junior middleweight but he is the most feared. Kirkland took Angulo on in his country. Kirkland was also knocked out in 1 round, just a few fights ago. 9 out of 10 experts gave Kirkland very little chance to win this fight. Some even believed Kirkland's promoter Golden Boy was cashing him out.
Kirkland did not care about any of that. He didn't care about the crowd or the judges. He only cared about one thing. Pleasing his master. Ann Wolfe. Wolfe is the most notable female trainer in boxing. Kirkland was undefeated with Wolfe in his corner. His lone loss came when Wolfe was not at the leash.
Kirkland blamed that loss on Wolfe not being around to prepare him. Some thought it was an excuse but Kirkland proved it was a REASON. Wolfe put Kirkland's body through things that Navy Seales would cringe at. Fighting 5 men at a time, with his hands tied. Punching him in the stomach after a 7 mile brisk run. Forcing him to spar 5 times a week in over 100 degree heat. Forcing him to spar men that are 50lbs heavier than him. Kirkland's body his hardened, his mind is prepared for DEATH.
That brings us to the fight. Kirkland attacked Angulo like the typical assassin like dog. He was bit back in the form of a knockdown, a clean hard right hand counter. Kirkland was wounded but he enjoyed that. He fought on and was able to knock Angulo down. Kirkland bit(punched) at Angulo over 100 times in the first round. His demonic tenacity reminded me of when Aaron Pryor attacked Alexis Arguello. Pryor and Kirkland did not care about running out of gas, because they knew what they had in the gas tank. Kirkland threw over 550 punches in 5 1/2 rounds of action.
Kirland took the fight out of Angulo when he became immune to his bites in around the 4th round. He carried Angulo so fast and bit him so hard, the gutsy Angulo capitulated to one of the most ferocious performances of modern times. Kirkland wanted to please his master and that he did. He fought how he is trained. Like a DEAD GAME dog".
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