Comments Thread For: James Kirkland Just Wants His Say In the Ring

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Jake Donovan - Don’t take it personal if you get an agitated response from James Kirkland on the subject of why longtime trainer Ann Wolfe will not be in his corner this weekend. Nor should you think he’s taking offense to your question.

The only issue at hand for the slugging southpaw from Texas is the fact that he’s being asked any questions at all while training—both his favorite and worst time of the year.

“When it comes to training camp, I train hard,” insists Kirkland (32-1, 28KOs), who’s been deep on the grind in preparation for his May 9 showdown with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in Houston, Texas. “Everyone claims they train hard. When I train, I give it my all.

“I ain’t saying that just to spike up a crowd. That ain’t me. I don’t like to talk when I’m training. I don’t want to be your friend or your high-five buddy. I just want train and fight.”

It remains a valid question of why—heading into his biggest fight yet—Kirkland would opt to go at it without the driving force behind the most successful moments of a career that his bridged 15 years. The 31-year old has done his best to remain civil while tackling the subject, one he expected to surface the moment word leaked out that the on-again, off-again fighter-trainer relationship was back in the latter status. [Click Here To Read More]

[Unsuspected]

If Kirkland doesn't get blown out in the first it can get interesting as after being vulnerable early he always seems to get stronger as the bout progresses where he actually absorbs bigger shots later than the ones that shook him early (see Angulo and Tapia). It remains to be seen whether the supposed improvements in his fighting style by his new team serve as help or hindrance as his sometimes reckless 'all in' charge is what seems to have made him successful to this point. One more thing to ponder - an upset of Alvarez could set the stage for a Cotto-Kirkland showdown which would be outstanding.

[DreamerUSA]

If Kirkland doesn't get blown out in the first it can get interesting as after being vulnerable early he always seems to get stronger as the bout progresses where he actually absorbs bigger shots later than the ones that shook him early (see Angulo and Tapia). It remains to be seen whether the supposed improvements in his fighting style by his new team serve as help or hindrance as his sometimes reckless 'all in' charge is what seems to have made him successful to this point. One more thing to ponder - an upset of Alvarez could set the stage for a Cotto-Kirkland showdown which would be outstanding.

Any improvements he may get from his new trainer really won't bear fruit for a few fights in my opinon. The problem with James is'nt that he can't move his head or have defense or jab or even box. He has those capabilities, he has shown it in the past. His problem is once he gets cracked, a switch flips on and all he can think about is ****ing killing the guy in front of him and technique goes out the window. I'm not sure you can change that.

Really what I'm hoping from his new trainer is that he gets that explosiveness back that he had from Angulo and prior. Even in the Tapia fight he did'nt have it. I honestly beleive that as hes got older, the way Ann trained him, actually slowed him down. I mean the way this guy could unleash punches with the combination of speed, power and volume was a real sight imo. I hav'nt seen many guys that can do what he can when he decides to unleash hell.