thoughts on is this a good fight for kirkland or is it not the step up he needs and as always who wins?
I don't think this is much of a step up, personally. Ermoselle Albert was a big step up, but he pretty much destroyed him, so there was no way to see how he'd handle a decent boxer. Vera isn't much of a boxer, but he has a good beard, so maybe Kirkland will at least be able to get in some rounds this way. I see Kirkland winning fairly easily.
I think it's a good fight for Kirkland at this point in his career. Vera's no world beater, but he did beat another highly touted prospect in Andy Lee, so a win over him is a good one. I think James wins this one, possibly by mid-late round stoppage.
at least he's getting on HBO, but Kirkland should win. I wish he'd fight Joel Julio or Angulo already.
Kirkland needs some more fights to be tested, KOs are great, but I still think he needs a few more fights, his defense is still lacking. 154 is actually a pretty loaded division at the moment. Not that there are any elite level guys, no P4P fighters, but still very very good fighters. I was looking at boxrecs top 20. Not the rankings themsevles are great, but I didnt realize how many good fighters are at 154.
Yep, not a lot of superstars but not a lot of difference between the #1 guy and the #15 guy. A lot of good match ups to be made at 154.
This fight should have happened in Austin (both are from here)... Anyway, I got Mandingo in this one...
Sorry, my bad I thought Kirkland was at MW not JMW. In which case he should fight John Duddy (good beard can take a punch, fairly big name) Verno Phillips (though I don't think he'll be around after Paul Williams!!!) or possibly Cory Spinks, who will have him chasing all night.