By Miguel Rivera

Junior middleweight contender James Kirkland is preparing himself for an HBO pay-per-view battle against former four division world champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, which is scheduled to take place on February 25th in Texas.

One fight that Kirkland would love to personally see is a battle between Canelo Alvarez (48-1-1, 34 KOs) and Gennady Golovkin (36-0, 33 KOs). Kirkland was viciously stopped in three rounds by Canelo in 2015, also in Texas.

"I want to see that fight [between Canelo and Golovkin] because the two of them are special and have very different abilities and they are good, they are very explosive and because of the punching power they have, that's why I would like to see that fight," Kirkland told ESPN Nation.

Kirkland, who has not fought since suffering the loss to Canelo, declined to give a prediction on whether or not the Mexican fighter would have enough power to knock out Golovkin.

He was also unable to compare the difference between Cotto and Canelo, yet.

"I have not faced Miguel Cotto, so I can not tell you about him.What I can tell you about Canelo Alvarez is that he has great ability, I've seen him up in the ring, I've felt his punch in addition. I'd have to say that he's a boxer who keeps himself busy [in the ring], "added Kirkland. "He's kept busy, he's active, the more active you are, the more you'll learn fight after fight. He's a great fighter and made himself a great boxer."

As far as his inactivity, Kirkland is not worried about that aspect coming into play in the fight. Cotto has been out of the ring since losing a decision to Canelo in November 2015.

"I've always been disadvantaged throughout my career. I've never been the favorite," Kirkland said. "On February 25, I'm going to go in the ring against Miguel Cotto to show the world, with my punch, that I still have a lot in this sport," said Kirkland. "I honestly feel blessed by this great opportunity to face an icon, a legend like Miguel Cotto."