Alvarez Looking Sharp Ahead Of Kirkland

By Olly Campbell - 04/21/2015 - Comments

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Saul Alvarez(44-1-1, 31ko) was looking good out Stateside yesterday in a media workout ahead of his contest with James Kirkland (32-1,28ko) on May 9th, that will be screened on HBO in the US and on Boxnation in the UK.

The May 9th fight that will come potentially a week late for Mexico’s biggest PPV star (as Floyd and Manny have already bagged the sought-after Mexican bank holiday weekend date, even though Cinco De Mayo is on the 5th) is being billed as “his toughest test yet” in many corners of the media, which is leaving many fight fans, especially neutrals, totally bemused.

Whilst I wouldn’t call Kirkland a walk over opponent, it’s widely expected the inactive Texan, who will be without trainer Ann Wolfe for the contest, will be beaten. Most probably soundly. It’s by no means Alvarez’s toughest test!

His career, that was pretty promising up until that point, was left in tatters when ageing, feather-fisted Japanese fighter Nobuhiro Ishida, who was matched to make Kirkland look good, absolutely blasted him away inside a round in 2011. It was supposed to be a showcase for the oft troubled Kirkland, who was returning to the ring in just his third warm up after a prison sentence.

Since then, promotional and personal issues, coupled with inactivity and rumours of him struggling with nutrition not so long ago leave you worried, despite recent reports that weight won’t be a problem come fight night. A troubled fighter, coupled with an inactive fighter is always of concern for me.

Kirkland himself said when the fight was announced, especially with regard to the Wolfe situation and his current novice trainer;

“James Kirkland is James Kirkland. I put the work in. I decide my own outcome. You may have a team that coaches and motivates you but ultimately it’s the fighter that has to get in the ring and do the business.”

Worrying stuff indeed.

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Alvarez, to the contrary, has been affable as always in his promotion of the fight and said;

“I feel ready to fight tomorrow if needed. I feel excited that the fight is around the corner.”

Speaking of his own team and trainer Chepo Reynoso, and their approach to Kirkland and any potential problems his southpaw stance might cause, he said;

“We have exactly the right strategy to beat Kirkland and have been sparring plenty of southpaws in order to be properly prepared. I know he’s a strong puncher, but I am a strong fighter. I plan on hitting hard but boxing an intelligent fight. I promise the fans won’t be disappointed. I always fight to please my fans.”

Either way I believe stylistically this is a great fight for Alvarez, who since the loss to Mayweather has begun to push himself once more, especially in his fight with Alfredo Angulo whom he beat a better, more experienced version of than Kirkland for me.

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The Lara fight was not the best for Alvarez as Lara’s slick southpaw, counter-punching and defensive style was always going to be troubling for him. The Cuban fighter, in many peoples eyes IS the best 154lb fighter in the world, and Alvarez doesn’t need another close one like that. Even IF his pressure was enough to give him that fight in the eyes of the judges.

Kirkland isn’t the same type of southpaw as Lara by any stretch of the imagination anyway and that’s another reason why Kirkland is a good option for May 9th. He’s no boxer.

I hope I’m wrong about James Kirkland, really I do. I just don’t think he’s the fighter he was, and he never did, and never will, become the level of fighter he could be.

GoldenBoy’s Oscar De La Hoya, who has had his own legal tussels with Kirkland in the past, said;

“This is a sure knockout type of fight. Whether Canelo knocks out Kirkland, or Kirkland knocks out Canelo, it’s going to be one of those fights. Styles make fights”

If by some stretch of the imagination, a “right” James Kirkland comes in, I guess it’s possible this will be a good fight. On paper it certainly should be. There’s just a few things, namely The Texan himself, that are leaving me needing a little more convincing….. I can’t see anything other than a Canelo victory.

Twitter @undilutedpoison