Good overview of why Kirkland Laing ended up with a futile boxing career: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...nt-from-hero-to-zero-in-30-years-8102784.html "Laing put on a simply amazing performance to beat Duran in every area. It was not a smash-and-grab raid as many have chosen to believe. It was a proper fight and at the end of 10 rounds Duran dropped his head, knowing he had blown his multimillion-dollar fight with Ayala. In This content is protected 10, Laing went for the stoppage, which annoyed Duran but delighted the crowd who had booed Laing's arrival. Laing beat the living legend on points and celebrated wildly with Ryan and Duff."
He had skills and what they call "talent" but he was lazy. He didn't train, he smoked 'ganja' and partied. And, let's be honest, his style had massive flaws in it. That was probably the main reason he never made it. Hands down taunting opponents is okay, I guess, at a certain level, but he was never good enough to pull that off at the highest level for long. I mean, you can't combine that style with a slack work ethic. He got KO'd enough times to maybe change that. Honeyghan v Laing would have been an interesting domestic fight in the UK in the 1980s.
Yes a very sad story. Laing had talent in abundance but without desire and and self discipline it goes nowhere.
The first time I saw Kirk was against Hutchings and I was amazed when I saw his stance. It was like Unforgiven said, that his hands were waist high. I couldn't believe it, and especially not against Hutchings who had one of the best jabs in the business and just rocked Kirk all evening. That style didn't help him either against Colin Jones. He was beating Jones both times but both times fell in the 9th. You just can't avoid every shot even if you have a great defense. His was wide open.
Because Duran plodded after him while Lang used his foot speed and hand speed to score and move away before Duran could do anything. Duran lacked the intensity needed to cut off the ring and do damage. Duran was not prime, but it was still a very good performance from Lang. Post Leonard II Duran couldn't really handle good boxers who moved and/or had good defense. Lang fit in to the latter category. His movement really bothered Duran. If you stood in front of post 1980 Duran and or had shoddy defense you were in trouble - Cuevas, Moore and Barkely all fit into this category. Benitez stood in front of him but had the good defense and countering abilities. Hagler moved a bit and had a decent defense. When he did stand in front of Duran, we was the much more powerful puncher and stronger physically. Hearns simply outgunned him with superior reach and awesome punching power. His reach was his defense.
Honeyghan and laing couldn't stand each other would have been a great fight I think Lloyd would have stopped him late in a great fight .laing had great talent but not the disciple to make the most of it .could have been in some great fights in the 80s curry Benitez blocker breland etc wouldn't have won them all but would have have great and laing would have been set for life.