Worth noting is that Kirkland rose over and over against Ishida, thrice, from hard knockdowns, each time caught with multiple punches on the button that he didn't see coming in various states of discoordination (and still not in the best shape to start out, having not fully recovered from prison as evidenced by his previous comeback episodes). He was attempting to rise a 4th time when Cortez stopped it. Kirkland was actually shoving upward to lift past Cortez and stand freely, and Cortez squashed him. Bad defense? Shaky chin? Questionable survival instincts? You bet. Lack of heart? No f'ing way.
This will look familiar like the Angulo fight only difference is Kirkland is a bit quicker but has a weaker chin I don't think he can take all that punishment Angulo took I'll be surprised if this fight goes more than 8 rounds.
Ishida is by no means feather fisted. Not sure how anyone got that idea. He got mad KO's in AMs with pillow gloves and headgear. His frame filled out to Cruiser with ease. He punches very accurately, and Kirkland defense so poor he was catching it right on the chin perfectly. Kirkland had also had a bunch of other issues (no surprise there) going on. If, and I say IF Kirkland is able to get himself properly trained and motivated this is going to be a rough fight for Canelo.
A Wolfe-trained Kirkland will either get stopped early by Alvarez or lose the early rounds, beat the **** out of Alvarez in the later rounds and lose a unanimous decision. Alvarez is going to have to be ktfo to lose a fight.
No. I really don't think that highly of Alvarez but he appears to have a pretty good beard. I hate to be cynical but Oscar is not going to set his golden goose up to be plucked.
I agree, his beard's good, and too much is made by haters of the Jose Cotto incident (which by now is super old news - and wasn't Canelo a freaking teenager when it happened?) - but we really have never seen him get hit by someone as big and powerful as Kirkland. With big Anne in his corner, I give James the proverbial puncher's chance. Without her, not even that.
I bet he's throwing Cotto under the bus for wanting more money than him. You know Kirkland will be getting pennies compared to ginger nuts
Yeah Kirkland def needs Anne in his corner. I think its a good litmus. Really I wonder if its not as much just Anne herself, but if he is motivated enough to go through her training methods by extension he is motivated and hungry enough to really fight. Unmotivated people dont make it though AnneCamp.