That was a bull**** stoppage only because in this type of fight and magnitude and as young as Julio is and as heavy as his hands are they should have let the fight continue....but Kirkland is a good fighter he needs to work on that D...like foreal tho.
Good fight, bad ending though... just not how you want to end it.. but Julio needed to be saved from himself.. he was getting ****ed up, and he was just about out on his feet that last round. For such a great card on paper, it was pretty **** night of boxing.
Not until he throws some body punches and gets a bit more rounded out defensively. The best opponent for him may be someone like Ishe Smith or someone more technical. He's not all the way there yet.
I had called it a KO for Julio in the 9th round....I thought he would exploit Kirklands inexperience. Congratulations to Kirkland...lets bring on Williams. or Santos...I think he is ready. I don't see a need for him to fight Angulo...I think that is a step down for him.
if he can't take out one of the champions in the first 2/3 rounds Kirkland would probably get stopped himself. He squares up so much, he's very open, very wild and fights at a pace that won't last for 12 rounds. I think Kirkland was starting to show he was feeling the pace by the 6th(not as much as Julio of course) and in a 12 round fight against better fighter this could show him up. He's not World Championship material for me.
Kirkland isn't ready for Williams. Slicksters with fast hands trouble Williams. Williams would probably knock Kirkland out and early. Williams is WAY too advanced for James or Angulo right now.
I will say it again. Julio is not a star, but tonight he looked like he didn't even train for this fight. Fat and slow. Who the heel he thought he was going to fight against????
I think of Angulo more highly than that mate. He's a tough fighter. A fight with Angulo would be a great fight for Kirkland. If he wins convincingly there, then it's a title shot. He's got plenty of time for title shots, no need to rush things.