Two come-forward brawling fighters. One has a good chin and more power. One has a glass chin and less power. Gotta go with the former, and that's Alfredo Angulo.
Kirkland has THE worst Chin in the business today and it isn't a new development, he's been harboring serious china in that Mandible for some time. Angulo smashes whatever version of that China Chinned Hype Job you wish to compare him to and he's certainly going to smash the guy that shows up.
Have you guys forgotten what that Japanese kid (Ishida) did to Kirkland? I just rewatched that fight before making any comment. I do not believe that KO was a fluke. Ishida hits like Sergio Mora, and he blasted Kirkland out almost effortlessly. The thing is, it wasn't one particular punch Ishida used. It started with a left hook, but he also hit Kirkland with straight rights, overhand rights, and jabs. Once Kirkland got hurt he had no idea how to make it out of the round. He became vulnerable to everything Ishida threw. Cintron beat Angulo, but Cintron and Ishida are two completely different classes of fighter. Cintron does not have the power at 154 that he had at 147, but the boy can crack a bit. He beat Angulo's ass, and looked good doing it, but I don't remember Angulo ever looking seriously hurt. I rarely use the term "glass jaw," and I detest the fanatics on ESB who label so many fighters with that. However, I think the term is appropriate in this case. Kirkland is one chinny son of a *****! His chin will most likely cost him this fight, and any future fights with guys who can bang.
The one unknown in that is Kirkland's condition coming into the fight. I'm not sure if there weren't some extenuating circumstances. Kirkland was able to recover from Julio's bombs after all
Julio is not a big puncher, but he probably hits harder than Ishida. The thing is, Kirland's defense is full of holes, and at least in the Ishida fight, his survival skills are non existent. A guy with a questionable chin absolutely must have good defense and good survival skills. If he doesn't, he won't go far.
I'm going to predict that Kirkland has a great first and second round, then falls apart and gets KOed a round or two later.
Agree on Kirkland's defense but I think you're underestimating Julio's power. They're arm punches for sure but so are Arreola's and he's managed to become a heavyweight contender. I'm predicting an Angulo victory and would probably prefer it. All I'm saying is that the jury may still be out on Kikland. We will see.