Kirkland no longer a prospect…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
By the third round of his bout with Joel Julio, I was ready to write-off James Kirkland as just another product of the hype machine.
Someone who everybody wanted to be special but really isn’t. He was quickly becoming the next Edison Miranda to me.
But then something happened. Kirkland, in the midst of furious back-and-forth exchanges, adapt and had a real game plan.
He started to slip punches, he worked the body well. He was, no, check that, is a complete fighter. It’s just so far he hasn’t had anyone to bring it out in him.
Julio came close before the fight was stopped at the end of the sixth round. Wasn’t sure if it was the corner or the ref, frankly, didn’t matter. Kirkland was beating Julio around the ring as Julio was retreating for nearly every minute of every round and had a bad cut above his right eye.
I’m not proclaiming Kirkland as the second-coming or an all-time great, but I’ll say I’ll no longer dismiss him as just a one-dimensional fighter.
Kirkland fights like somebody who is going after the kid that stole his lunch money he was younger. It’s almost scary looking at his non-stop intensity for every second of every round.
It’s also refreshing to see in this day of so many safety first boxers. I appreciate the slick boxers, but there are some (not naming names) that nobody will ever pay a dime to see fight again.
I would pay a dime (or two) to see Kirkland fight live. Ann Wolfe has done a fabulous job with Kirkland. She gave great advice between rounds and more importantly, he followed her words.
The other bouts didn’t do much for me on the HBO triple-header. Robert Guererro’s bout was ruled a no-contest while Victor Ortiz blasted Mike Arnaoutis in two rounds.
Not sold on Ortiz. Arnaouits’ best days are behind them. He’s still tough and rugged but if he’s the best name on the record, eh, still going to be skeptical.
I like what I see from Ortiz, but it’s time to step up the competition.
***
Boneman, eat your words about Gabriel Gonzaga. Oy, my heavyweight was knocked out in less than a round Saturday at UFC 96 against Shane Carwin.
In the main event, Rampage Jackson won a unanimous decision against Keith Jardine. Logic would tell you it should be Jackson vs. Rashad Evans for the middleweight championship, but I’m not so sure it’s going to happen.
Jackson used superior striking to get the best of Jardine after having some issues in round one. Scores were 29-28 (twice) and 30-27.
Doesn’t feel like I missed much, and that’s a big problem about having the monthly PPVs. How do you differentiate between just a stay-busy PPV and one that is worth forking over the $50 for? It’s my only real issue right now with MMA.
UFC 97 looks to be a loaded card headlined by arguably the best fighter in the world, Anderson Silva. I don’t know, something about the way the cards are being booked is irking me. Can’t quite articulate it yet.
All ‘n all, not a bad weekend of fights.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment