great fight!!! Rodriguez has serious pop and is a decent boxer/puncher, enough so to give Kirkland problems and enough pop to shatter that glass chin of Kirklands. Kirkland would have to be the serious favorite but I wouldn't count out Rodriguez, he's got a big uppercut that could destroy James and he punches much harder than Ishida.
Thats what I thought as well initially from seeing this-- although as a fan I'd still pay to see this one... gurantee its on HBO BAD though, which is fine w me:good
Rodriguez has enough pop to shatter that disgraceful Chin but then again, almost anyone in the world could do that if they land. I think Kirkland's aggression probably limits the chances that Rodriguez gets to land since he isn't the best off of the backfoot and Kirkland probably shatters his own Fragile Glass Mandible. I wouldn't be surprised to see either go down, however.
Rodriguez deserves the shot and Kirkland deserves a easy fight. Both fighters are warriors. Im very content about this matchup.