Found this over @ the boxing doghouse! By: Zeferino Jackson zef_jack@yahoo.com Junior middleweight boxer James Kirkland has shown unpredictability with a very predictable style in the ring. Nicknamed "Mandingo" after the adult film star, Kirkland has proven to be both extremely powerful in the ring and vulnerable. To Kirkland's advantage, he is an aggressive power-puncher capable of walking down his foes in intimidating fashion. However, Kirkland's major flaw has been his chin as he is often stunned by opponents with little punching power. In 2011, Kirkland was knocked out in shocking fashion by Nobuhiro Ishida, a fighter with only 9 knockouts in 33 matches. Kirkland also has stylistic flaws making him defensively vulnerable and dependent on his punching power to end fights before they go to the cards. On Saturday night, the southpaw Kirkland frequently circled to his left during the whole fight leaving himself open to left hooks and right hands from his right handed opponent, Carlos Molina. Kirkland lost most of the rounds and was lucky to win the match when the referee controversially disqualified Molina. Much like the former champion and now deceased Arturo Gatti, Kirkland's strengths and weaknesses have combined to generate exciting fights to the delight of the fans. Nevertheless, if Kirkland is to have any longevity and future success in the ring, he must follow the instructions of his secret weapon: Ann Wolfe Ann Wolfe, a former boxer herself, is Kirkland's trainer. Unpredictably, Wolfe has proven formidable as a trainer and seems to enjoy a special bond with Kirkland. Wolfe has gained the respect of her male counterparts and her use of unorthodox training techniques have taken the limited skilled Kirkland beyond his natural abilities. Wolfe's methods are not for the weak minded. A typical day of training for Kirkland consists of the following: 4am: Wake up time 4:30am: Kirkland does 800 push ups 5:00am to 6:00am Kirkland jogs for 10 miles barefoot until he reaches a nearby IHOP 6:00am to 7:00am Kirkland eats a breakfast of 6 pancakes and a glass of grapefruit juice 7:00am to 8:00am Kirkland walks 5 miles and then jogs an additional 5 miles back to his quarters 8:00am to 12:00pm Kirkland has the option to sleep but usually engages in non ejaculatory sex. The non-ejaculatory sex allows the fighter to maintain strength, ferocity and focus as ejaculation is not permitted. Some sources indicate Wolfe supervises the non ejaculatory sex and may even participate on occasion to keep Kirkland focused. 12:00pm to 4:00pm Kirkland does gym work. Similar to James Toney, Kirkland often spars 3 opponents simultaneously while blindfolded and without a protective cup or underwear. During this part of the training, Kirkland often gets knocked to the canvas several times allowing him to hone his recuperative powers. 4:00pm to 5:00pm Kirkland gets held down by 5 sparring partners while blindfolded and naked on top of a pile of sharp gravel. Kirkland must use all his strength to lift his body off the gravel. 5:00pm to 6:00pm Kirkland has alone time with Wolfe to meditate on the upcoming fight while receiving the full body nude grease down. 6:00pm Kirkland enjoys a meal of barbecued chicken and lemonade. After enduring several weeks of training in this fashion, it's hard to fathom how Kirkland could manage to get stopped by any foe in the ring, much less a foe with minimal punching power like Ishida. The respected Colombian trainer Julio Mondragon says he knows why: "People forget that Kirkland wasn't being trained by Wolfe when he lost to Ishida. Kirkland's chin was very weak when he fought Ishida because he wasn't performing the extreme cunnilingus exercise for jaw strength. After I revealed this technique, many trainers and assistants have come to my gym to learn it. I believe Kirkland's chin has been better because Wolf is making him perform the exercise. I believe this is a benefit of having a female trainer and I would not be surprised if Wolfe has volunteered herself to facilitate this very important part of Kirkland's training. Wolfe is a very large and powerful woman with muscular thighs and buttocks. I am sure that Kirkland would get the best of the jaw strength training from Wolfe as she is very professional and knows how to make a fighter work." Mondragon's jaw strength technique has proven to be a success and its benefits were on full display when Kirkland faced the power-punching Alfredo Angulo. Although Kirkland did get stunned in the first round after being assaulted by the powerful Angulo, Kirkland showed amazing recuperative powers and was able to battle back to knock out Angulo. The increased durability of Kirkland's chin was shocking given his knockout loss to Ishida. The application of techniques such as these in the training of a more talented and gifted fighter could yield amazing results in the ring. :scaredas::huh
