Brits who remember him and saw him fight several times on TV know that he had incredible ability. He was extremely gifted. He never took professional boxing seriously, and on the rare occasions he showed his talent it was apparent he was an exceptional fighter. The kid should have been at the Olympics in '72, but was ruled out for being too young. As an adult he obviously never applied himself fully. If he didn't lose interest long before a fight he was in danger of losing interest during it. If his talent had been music or art he'd get away with it, the inconsistency, going AWOL for months, producing a few gems among a catalogue of mediocrity. But in sports you NEED TO BE CONSISTENT, FOCUSSED. I guess he just didn't have it, or chose other things above boxing.
Kirk on his night could stand most Welters on their Heads, but in top class you only have to make one mistake, and Kirk invited Trouble with his hands down, if only he had kept a more Professional attitude he could of perhaps Dazzled on an international stage, instead of showing intermittend Domestic genius, It was typical of the Kirkland Roller coster that he could twice be on the brink of shutout victories Lover Colin Jones only to not once - but Twice Let Jones find his chin in the 9th Round, he could go across the pond and Shock Duran ( but lets not kid outselves this was the fire and brimstone Roberto of Old, he also Laboured to beat Jimmy Batten at this time and was simply going throught the motions and felt he had a Ho-Hum easy Job, Roberto, when he sensed some Danger as For Cuevas and Moore soon Returned to his Top Form) Anyway having Beaten Duran, Does he cash in while he is Hot....No he Disappears for approx a year then Turns up a Lt Middle and gets Ko'd against Lead Hungry Fred Hutchins, Some Time Later Kirk put a nice little run together at Home, Putting exciting Honest Triers Sylvester Mittee George Collinds and Rocky Kelly in his place, the gulf in class was clearly evidant, then Kirk Ruins it all, by Play about with Have Bag will Travel Journeyman Buck Smith, Buck couldnt do much with Kirk at All, Kirk Starts to Drop his hands even more and downrigt play with Buck accepts the open invitation ... and....BAM Buck Nails Kirk right on the Kisser, Goodnigt Kirk, after that is was a case of Win Some Lose Some but Kirk had missed the boat and eventaully petered out, he Probably vie's with Herol Graham as the most naturally talented Brit not to win a world Title, pity he didnt have just half of Herols Dedication, he could have been something special, in more then just flashes, he definately had the natural talent, but note the dedication and desire needed to establish consistant excellance.
Yeah, he beat a clearly unmotivated Duran. I remember when he fought Duran. What was Laing, like 27-3 or something. He didn't look special to me. Duran laid an egg that night. Laing may have had above average ability, but he was an average fighter who had an average career. His only claim to fame is his win over Duran.
Getting kayoed by a second tier Colin Jones, Fred "The Pumper" Hutchins and Buck Smith does not bode well when you say this guy was so talented. At least Augustus has had better wins than Laing.
Well, who did Laing beat that was any good besides Duran? I'm not talking about local British talent, because most of those local fighters aren't world class.
Ok, The gifted One may have been talented. but there are a lot of guys who are very talented and never about to anything. Either way, he didn't have a gifted chin. Even though I think Augustus is a lazy fighter at times, he still managed to have a better career than Laing.
does anyone know where i could get a look at that documentary that was done on him a few years back ??
Laings career was pretty ordinairy which was all the more disapointing as he had supreme talent, better imho than the likes of other British welters like Jones, Honeyghan and John H stracey. He should've been great. Instead he was a no-mark with a drink problem. Average career, extraordinary talent.