James Kirkland (boxer)

James Derick Kirkland (born March 19, 1984) is an American professional boxer who held the regional WBO–NABO junior middleweight title in 2008. He was one of boxing's most prominent junior middleweight prospects in the late 2000s and early 2010s, until an 18-month prison stint set his career back significantly.[1] Nicknamed the "Mandingo Warrior", Kirkland is known for being a highly aggressive southpaw pressure fighter with formidable punching power, having scored 82% per cent of his victories via knockout.

James Kirkland
Statistics
Real nameJames Derick Kirkland
Nickname(s)Mandingo Warrior
Weight(s)Light middleweight
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born (1984-03-19) March 19, 1984
Austin, Texas, U.S.
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights37
Wins34
Wins by KO30
Losses3

Amateur career

Kirkland has an amateur record of 134-12. and won the Silver Gloves championship four years in a row and lost on a controversial decision to James Patterson in the finals of the National Golden Gloves.

Instead of going to the Olympics, Kirkland turned professional to provide for his family.[2]

Professional career

Kirkland turned professional in August 2001 in San Antonio, Texas. In his debut Kirkland defeated fellow debutant Maurice Chalmers with a third-round knockout. Kirkland has been trained by former women's champion Ann Wolfe since 2001.[3] On November 22, 2008, Kirkland (24–0, 21 KOs) won an 8th round technical knockout versus Brian Vera (16–2, 10 KOs). Kirkland dropped Vera twice in Round 2.[4] On March 7, 2009, Kirkland defeated Joel Julio on HBO's Boxing After Dark at the HP Pavilion in San Jose by TKO after Round 6.

Return to boxing

On March 5, 2011, Kirkland returned to the ring after an almost 2-year layoff to defeat Ahsandi Gibbs via first-round KO. On April 9, 2011, Kirkland faced Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan, in what was supposed to be a stay-busy fight for Kirkland. However, in a stunning upset, the previously undefeated Kirkland was stopped in the first round by the Japanese fighter, who isn't known for being a big puncher having only 7 KO's in 29 fights, getting knocked down 3 times. After the loss, Kirkland split with trainer Kenny Adams and reunited with Ann Wolfe. Kirkland and Wolfe had broken up after Kirkland went to prison.

Kirkland came back from his first-round knockout loss to score three knockdowns over Alexis Hloros en route to a second-round knockout. He entered the fight his usual aggression, looking to mix it up immediately and scored two knockdowns in the opening round. First, Hloros went down during a flurry and then he took a knee during another stream of punches.[1]

Kirkland vs. Angulo

On November 5, 2011, in a highly exciting fight, Kirkland rose from a first round knockdown to defeat Angulo via 6th-round TKO.[5][6]

In addition to his aforementioned victories over Angulo, Kirkland's other notable wins have been against Brian Vera (TKO8), who just lost a controversial decision to Julio César Chávez Jr., Joel Julio (TKO6) and Eromosele Albert (TKO1).[7]

On October 16, 2013 it was announced that Kirkland, has signed with promoter/rap star 50 Cent and his company SMS Promotions and has his next fight lined up.[8]

On December 7, 2013, Kirkland continued his winning ways with a sixth-round TKO of 23-year-old prospect Glen Tapia at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. In the article, Kirkland was described as 'potentially, the most dominant offensive force in boxing since a prime Mike Tyson'.[9]

Kirkland vs. Álvarez

Kirkland fought former Super Welterweight Champion Canelo Álvarez after his decision victory over Erislandy Lara on July 12.[10] The fight took place on May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas with Kirkland losing by KO in 3rd round.

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
37 fights 34 wins 3 losses
By knockout 30 3
By decision 3 0
By disqualification 1 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
37 Loss 34–3 Juan Macias Montiel KO 1 (10), 1:56 Dec 26, 2020 Shrine Exposition Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
36 Win 34–2 Jas Phipps TKO 2 (6), 3:00 Nov 9, 2019 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
35 Win 33–2 Colby Courter TKO 1 (6), 2:15 Aug 24, 2019 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
34 Loss 32–2 Canelo Álvarez KO 3 (12), 2:19 May 9, 2015 Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas, U.S.
33 Win 32–1 Glen Tapia KO 6 (10), 0:38 Dec 7, 2013 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32 Win 31–1 Carlos Molina DQ 10 (12), 3:00 Mar 24, 2012 Reliant Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title;
Molina disqualified after his cornermen entered the ring too early
31 Win 30–1 Alfredo Angulo TKO 6 (12), 1:58 Nov 5, 2011 Centro, Cancún, Mexico Won WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title
30 Win 29–1 Alexis Hloros TKO 2 (8), 0:25 Jul 23, 2011 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29 Win 28–1 Dennis Sharpe KO 1 (8), 2:18 Jun 24, 2011 Dr Pepper Arena, Frisco, Texas, U.S.
28 Loss 27–1 Nobuhiro Ishida TKO 1 (8), 1:52 Apr 9, 2011 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
27 Win 27–0 Jhon Berrio KO 2 (8), 1:02 Mar 18, 2011 Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, California, U.S.
26 Win 26–0 Ahsandi Gibbs KO 1 (8), 0:34 Mar 5, 2011 Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
25 Win 25–0 Joel Julio TKO 6 (10), 3:00 Mar 7, 2009 HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, U.S.
24 Win 24–0 Brian Vera TKO 8 (10), 1:45 Nov 22, 2008 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Ricardo Cortes TKO 2 (10), 1:59 Sep 5, 2008 Music Hall, Austin, Texas, U.S.
22 Win 22–0 Eromosele Albert TKO 1 (10), 1:06 May 17, 2008 Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant WBO–NABO light middleweight title
21 Win 21–0 Allen Conyers TKO 1 (10), 2:56 Nov 30, 2007 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Mohammad Said Salem KO 2 (10), 2:32 Sep 1, 2007 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Ossie Duran UD 10 Jun 1, 2007 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Billy Lyell TKO 8 (10), 0:34 Feb 2, 2007 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 David Toribio KO 4 (8), 1:35 Dec 1, 2006 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Sherwin Davis RTD 2 (8), 3:00 Oct 6, 2006 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Alexis Division RTD 3 (8), 3:00 Jul 28, 2006 Pureformance Training Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Ray Cuningham TKO 1 (6), 2:16 Jun 3, 2006 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 David Estrada TKO 3 (6), 1:05 May 5, 2006 Lucky Star Casino, Concho, Oklahoma, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Manny Castillo TKO 3 (6), 2:37 Apr 21, 2006 Omar Shrine Temple, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Russell Jordan TKO 1 (8) Nov 6, 2003 Hilton, Washington, D.C., U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Martinus Clay KO 1 (4), 0:54 Aug 22, 2003 Silver Star Hotel and Casino, Choctaw, Mississippi, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Sergio Soto KO 3 (4), 0:54 May 23, 2003 Lucky Star Casino, Concho, Oklahoma, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Rodney Tappin UD 4 Mar 15, 2003 Club Life, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Juan Carlos Aranday TKO 3 (6), 0:35 Jan 31, 2003 Randy's Ballroom, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Edgar Pedraza UD 4 Oct 11, 2002 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Rashaan Abdul Blackburn TKO 3 (4) Sep 12, 2002 Nation, Washington, D.C., U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Jose Luis Rodrigues TKO 1 (4), 1:35 Jul 13, 2002 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Maurice Chalmers TKO 3 (4), 2:20 Dec 9, 2001 Crockett Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Juan Jaime Rodriguez KO 1 (4), 0:46 Oct 26, 2001 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Maurice Chalmers TKO 3 (4), 1:49 Aug 25, 2001 Sunset Station, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.

Outside the ring

As of 2009, Kirkland was on probation for an armed robbery conviction in 2003, for which he spent 30 months in prison.[11]

On Sunday, April 19, 2009, Kirkland was stopped in Austin traffic and arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon, with a possibility of prison time if he is convicted.[12] On Wednesday, September 23, 2009, Kirkland was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to the firearm charge. Kirkland was released from prison in September 2010 and spent several more months in a halfway house in Austin, Texas.[13]

In June 2013, Kirkland was again arrested - this time for assault - and jailed in Texas. Ring observers believe that these legal troubles will negatively impact Kirkland's career.[14]

References
  1. Dan Rafael. "Peter Quillin takes aim at title shot". ESPN. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  2. Gabriel Montoya. "James Kirkland: "No man at 154 can beat me"". Boxrec Fighter Page. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  3. Gerald Rice. "Exclusive Boxing Interview : James Kirkland and Anne Wolf". Saddo Boxing. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  4. "Ricky Hatton exorcises demons, erases memory of loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2008-11-23. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  5. "James Kirkland comes from behind to beat Alfredo Angulo - ESPN". Espn.go.com. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  6. "Kirkland vs. Angulo, Pacquiao's next opponent and more - Chris Mannix - SI.com". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  7. "James Kirkland Signs With 50 Cent, Fights Dec. 7". Thesweetscience.com. 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  8. "50 cent signs James Kirkland - ESPN". Espn.go.com. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  9. "James Kirkland Signs with 50 cent - Yahoo". Sports.yahoo.com. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  10. http://www.boxingscene.com/de-la-hoya-sees-cotto-kirkland-canelos-future--79746
  11. "The Daily Sports Herald: Prospect Watch: James Kirkland". Thedailysportsherald.blogspot.com. 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  12. "James Kirkland held in custody on weapons charge - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  13. "James Kirkland Released From Prison, Returns 11/6 - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  14. http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/6/16/4436814/james-kirkland-arrested-and-jailed-for-assault-in-texas
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Charles Whittaker		 WBO–NABO light middleweight champion
May 17, 2008 – November 2008
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Danny Perez Ramírez
Preceded by
Alfredo Angulo		 WBC Continental Americas light middleweight champion
November 5, 2011 – January 2013
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Jermell Charlo
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