James Kirkland needs to learn how to box

Kirkland is just a brawler...not sure how much more his style can change at this point of his career. Maybe work on his punch placement and more head movement. I saw him throw so many off balance left crosses that barely had anything on them.

 

He needs to keep doing what he's been doing, but just do it better.

When his opponents are able to get separation, if their skilled enough, they're able to easily land combinations through and around Kirkland's guard.

Kirkland's at his best when he's collapsed all the way in and smothering his target with an assortment of short punches from various angles.

 

Too late

 

Kirkland is a fun, but limited fighter. I doubt he's going to pick up too many more tricks at this point in his career. His biggest asset was having Wolfe in his corner yelling at him, but that wouldn't have done anything for him in the Canelo fight.

 

I like him. Big, big punch but I don't think his heart in it.
Hope he finds another spot in life to excel

 

can't do. Besides, he is done. He's taken a heck of a beating in his career. I actually worry about hie future after boxing.

 

Poor Kirkland cant stand up to punches. He is great offensively aswell. I thought he was gettin the better of atleast half his exchanges against Canelo but before you know it he is taking a count. And before you know it he is down again and not getting up.

 

If he hasnt learned them by now, he never will

 

Anne Wolfe never taught him to be a fundamental boxer. Him going back to her will not change anything.

 

Respect to him for taking the fight to Canelo, that took some pelotas. Kirkland is a physically huge 154lber and knows how to use his size and strength when on offense, which is 99% of the time for him, so his size can also backfire on him making him an easier target, no fancy upperbody movement would help him much anyways. But, I remember another huge 154lber named Winky Wright and tho he wasn't very mobile, he used those thick arms to use a very, very tight defense and it was extremely effective. That's the best I think would work for Kirkland with that frame of his, has to learn to take the steam off those shots and pressure behind a tight defense like Winky did. Other than Ishida, Kirkland has taken some hellacious shots by good punchers. And Ishida is 6'1" tall for a 154lber, last I heard he was fighting a heavyweight! Pretty fearless guy himself.

 

Too late now.
He'll always be the crude slugger he is, and should probably retire soon.