Monty Barrett Supplies Late Fireworks
By Paul-John Ramos
04.10 - Albuquerque, New Mexico - Just when the Sandia Casino main event looked ready for a whimper, heavyweight prospect Monty Barrett came to the rescue with an eye-opening TKO of Erik Kirkland, clocked at 2:35 of round ten.
Barrett, 218 ¾, Queens, New York, had the upper hand throughout a sloppy, clinch-ridden fight, using his jab to control the tempo and keep Kirkland, 221, Selden, New York, at a safe distance. Kirkland did land occasional counterpunches, but was relegated to a defensive stance all night. It seemed that Barrett's output alone would bring a comfortable win.
These two prospects were in need of a big finish, however, and it was Barrett who took advantage of his deep amateur experience and the venue's 5,000-foot altitude. Barrett, who weighed nearly three pounds under his April bout with Robert Wiggins (221 ½), showed little fatigue in the closing rounds while Kirkland began plodding and his already-low punch count further shrank.
Barrett was still uppity in the tenth when he stung Kirkland at the midway point on a right hook and dropped him to one knee with an ensuing barrage. After the eight count by referee Rocky Burke, Barrett pressed forward and had a weary Kirkland standing defenseless against the ropes. He calmly moved in, bringing horror to Kirkland's face, and landed a clean right to the head that forced an immediate stoppage.
The 32-year-old Barrett, now 29-2 (16), has enjoyed victories against Tim Witherspoon, Robert Davis, and Wiggins after falling to Lance Whitaker by split decision and Wladimir Klitschko by knockout. There had been talk of Kirkland, 17-2 (13), facing Joe Mesi at Madison Square Garden this fall, but if Mesi wants to further his cause as a leading heavyweight, it is perhaps the more skilled Barrett who would better serve that need.
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