What do you think of James Kirkland ?

[killersheep]

I agree with you here, I think Wolfe has done a great job of making him tough, but now he needs to learn more fundamental skills. Someday he's going to run into someone with a chin like Vera's but actually has a slight level of boxing ability and that spells trouble for him. He is an exciting fighter though and I think he is in a division where he could do some damage even as he stands now. His stamina ultimately will be his downfall though.

I think his stamina is typically good, but not for this fight. He needs to keep Wolfe. Just like with Jermain Taylor, you could bring in a better trainer and get a worse result. He and Wolfe are very close, like siblings and I think far more harm would be done to his progress if she weren't around. Bring in someone who knows what she doesn't to teach him and I guarantee you the Junior Middleweight division will have a monster on its hands. And then the Middleweight division.

I think Sergio Martinez would pick apart and decimate Kirkland, I'm excited with the influx of good fighters emerging at 154. I understand what you are saying about a new trainer, but don't you feel Kirkland has learned what he can from Wolfe?

[Trainer Monkey]

It isnt the trainer,his fundamental flaws are all his own,he doesnt trust his jab,and tends to pursue right to his fighter. I highly doubt that the all time greatest female fighter didnt mention cutting the ring or getting his jab going. Put him in with Emanuel Roach McGirt III esquire,and unless he decides to trust his jab and cuts the ring,you'll get the exact same result

[killersheep]

It isnt the trainer,his fundamental flaws are all his own,he doesnt trust his jab,and tends to pursue right to his fighter. I highly doubt that the all time greatest female fighter didnt mention cutting the ring or getting his jab going. Put him in with Emanuel Roach McGirt III esquire,and unless he decides to trust his jab and cuts the ring,you'll get the exact same result

Using Emanuel as an example look what he did with Klitschko with his jab, he went from not using it to using it to dominate his opponents.

[Trainer Monkey]

It isnt the trainer,his fundamental flaws are all his own,he doesnt trust his jab,and tends to pursue right to his fighter. I highly doubt that the all time greatest female fighter didnt mention cutting the ring or getting his jab going. Put him in with Emanuel Roach McGirt III esquire,and unless he decides to trust his jab and cuts the ring,you'll get the exact same result

Using Emanuel as an example look what he did with Klitschko with his jab, he went from not using it to using it to dominate his opponents.

I allways thought Klitschko had a decent jab,Kirkland doesnt want to use the damned thing,he wants to press.If I wanted to improve him,Id have him slip in more rather then just pursue the way he does. He's fundamentally solid, but there are things he need to work on. Actually Id have him fight like Ann,some guys just dont get it.

[Spicoli]

I think he needs to invest in some defense & body punching.But I thought he brought his left sharper vs. Vera.Ann was really emphatic in that one,Kirkland seemed to,In spots,just go through the motions.

[Trainer Monkey]

I think he needs to invest in some defense & body punching.But I thought he brought his left sharper vs. Vera.Ann was really emphatic in that one,Kirkland seemed to,In spots,just go through the motions.

He defiantly took moments off,totally grant that.If he fought more like his trainer did,he'd be home free. She closed way better then Mandigo does. I think he'll be solid,and probably win a championship,but he aint Ann thats for sure

[Violent Demise]

I think Angulo knocks Kirkland out

[killersheep]

It isnt the trainer,his fundamental flaws are all his own,he doesnt trust his jab,and tends to pursue right to his fighter. I highly doubt that the all time greatest female fighter didnt mention cutting the ring or getting his jab going. Put him in with Emanuel Roach McGirt III esquire,and unless he decides to trust his jab and cuts the ring,you'll get the exact same result

Using Emanuel as an example look what he did with Klitschko with his jab, he went from not using it to using it to dominate his opponents.

I allways thought Klitschko had a decent jab,Kirkland doesnt want to use the damned thing,he wants to press.If I wanted to improve him,Id have him slip in more rather then just pursue the way he does. He's fundamentally solid, but there are things he need to work on. Actually Id have him fight like Ann,some guys just dont get it.

Klitschko did have a good jab, as does Kirkland, the problem is not using it as was the case with Klitschko.

[Lance Uppercut]

Kirkland is TV friendly.

It is also nice to see that he has cracked the top 10.

The Ring Jr. Middleweight Ratings

[Wayne]

I agree with you here, I think Wolfe has done a great job of making him tough, but now he needs to learn more fundamental skills. Someday he's going to run into someone with a chin like Vera's but actually has a slight level of boxing ability and that spells trouble for him. He is an exciting fighter though and I think he is in a division where he could do some damage even as he stands now. His stamina ultimately will be his downfall though.

I think his stamina is typically good, but not for this fight. He needs to keep Wolfe. Just like with Jermain Taylor, you could bring in a better trainer and get a worse result. He and Wolfe are very close, like siblings and I think far more harm would be done to his progress if she weren't around. Bring in someone who knows what she doesn't to teach him and I guarantee you the Junior Middleweight division will have a monster on its hands. And then the Middleweight division.

I think Sergio Martinez would pick apart and decimate Kirkland, I'm excited with the influx of good fighters emerging at 154. I understand what you are saying about a new trainer, but don't you feel Kirkland has learned what he can from Wolfe?

He came up in large part with Wolfe, both of them being trained by the same person before she took the reigns. He probably knows everything she would tell him to do backwards and forwards. I'm talking about what her absence would do to him psychologically. Some guys do worse with a better trainer because they just don't gel right. Like Jermain Taylor and Emmanuel Steward. Does anyone think Manny wasn't better than the trainer Taylor went back to? Kirkland has a deep respect with Wolfe that probably wouldn't be there the same way with a new trainer and he wouldn't train right and wouldn't respond the way a new trainer would want him to.

[Wayne]

If Kirkland had to switch trainers the one person I can think of who could make it work is Floyd Mayweather Sr. Now I'm not saying it would work out, but the best chance for success would be there. Also, Sr. as his trainer would probably be the most likely to explode. Mayweather would shore up his defense and that mouth would be running non-stop until Kirkland heard it in his sleep. There wouldn't be any way for him to forget his fundamentals. The problem would lie in Kirkland being able to set his ego aside to do what he's told, but I don't know how problematic that would be for a guy who trains by chasing a heavybag attached to a moving truck or wrestling out of the grip of several guys in the ring.

[killersheep]

If Kirkland had to switch trainers the one person I can think of who could make it work is Floyd Mayweather Sr. Now I'm not saying it would work out, but the best chance for success would be there. Also, Sr. as his trainer would probably be the most likely to explode. Mayweather would shore up his defense and that mouth would be running non-stop until Kirkland heard it in his sleep. There wouldn't be any way for him to forget his fundamentals. The problem would lie in Kirkland being able to set his ego aside to do what he's told, but I don't know how problematic that would be for a guy who trains by chasing a heavybag attached to a moving truck or wrestling out of the grip of several guys in the ring.

Your point (and Trainer Monkey's) about keeping Wolfe as a trainer are well taken and I have been convinced by them. That being said, I still believe he is at a point in his skill level where he is on the verge of being phenomenal and with Wolfe alone he won't be able to get over the line.

[Trainer Monkey]

If Kirkland had to switch trainers the one person I can think of who could make it work is Floyd Mayweather Sr. Now I'm not saying it would work out, but the best chance for success would be there. Also, Sr. as his trainer would probably be the most likely to explode. Mayweather would shore up his defense and that mouth would be running non-stop until Kirkland heard it in his sleep. There wouldn't be any way for him to forget his fundamentals. The problem would lie in Kirkland being able to set his ego aside to do what he's told, but I don't know how problematic that would be for a guy who trains by chasing a heavybag attached to a moving truck or wrestling out of the grip of several guys in the ring.

Your point (and Trainer Monkey's) about keeping Wolfe as a trainer are well taken and I have been convinced by them. That being said, I still believe he is at a point in his skill level where he is on the verge of being phenomenal and with Wolfe alone he won't be able to get over the line.

And I more or less agreed with it,they need a second in the corner to keep the kid focused on doing his work in there

[antimoron]

Kirkland got determination, speed and power but careless sometimes. His work rate is good but needs improvement on defensive side.Fighters like Angulo will give him some problems if he doesn't improve on his defense.

[Wayne]

Guys, I think for once we're all in agreement with one another. Any motions to close this thread?