Golden Boy signs James Kirkland
by Scott Christ on Oct 16, 2008 12:30 AM EDT
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Credit: Dan Rafael
154-pound banger James Kirkland has signed with Golden Boy Promotions despite a lawsuit from former promoter Gary Shaw, reports Dan Rafael.
Kirkland, a fast-rising star due to his non-stop punching and massive power, is still just 24 years old, and stands with a pro record of 23-0 (20 KO). His crushing defeat of Eromosele Albert on May 17, live on HBO, gained him a substantial amount of new fans, it seemed. Many had seen his knockouts before, but the way he completely overwhelmed a solid fighter surprised most of us, I think. Kirkland slaughtered Albert.
With trainer Ann Wolf, Kirkland has become one of boxing's hottest properties, and after splitting with Shaw over scheduling clashes between fighter and promoter (Kirkland wanted to fight more and says Shaw failed to deliver on his promises to make that happen), Golden Boy lands a strong, young fighter to back up a talent roster that, in all candor, is aging rapidly (Oscar, Mosley, Hopkins and Marquez are not getting any younger) and has only a few truly promising young fighters. Top Rank has long held the upper-hand in young talent, and hopefully this move means Golden Boy is moving toward signing more good young guys that are out there, and that they'll make aggressive moves even earlier in a fighter's career than this.
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154 Needs a Look Out
When it comes to real deal; this kid is it. It’s exciting to watch Kirk. I saw him a few times on Wednesday Night Fights and Fridays when rising was never a let down. 154 better watch out.
"I beat him so bad, he ended up in the Hospital. And I am still pretty." -Cassius Clay
Awesome
They should be able to get him some great matchups. Kirkland’s defensive flaws and shaky chin will probably prevent him from reaching the highest level, but he should always be a draw as long as he continues to throw every punch with the intention of taking the other guy’s head off.
Did he confirm the rumor that Kirkland will be fighting on the televised Hatton-Malignaggi undercard?
Vogt early, Vogt often.
kind of
Golden Boy and HBO are making plans for Kirkland to face former welterweight title challenger Danny Perez on Nov. 22 in the televised co-feature on the Ricky Hatton-Paulie Malignaggi card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. However, HBO won’t committ to the bout until its legal department signs off.
“I am in court on a contractual dispute over Kirkland,” Shaw told ESPN.com. “I put both HBO and Golden Boy on notice. I will file suit against Golden Boy. I already have a suit against the management.”
Shaw said he was disappointed that Golden Boy would make a move on his fighter before the lawsuit had run its course.
“For Golden Boy to try to be holier than thou and talk about saving boxing and doing the right thing for boxing, then they should have stood back and let the lawsuit play out,” he said. "If I lose the lawsuit, then they can go and sign Kirkland. But they’re so used to raiding talent and hiding behind Oscar’s pretty smile. They did it to me with Diego Corrales, trying to sign him when I had a valid contract, and I won that one. They tried to sign Manny Pacquiao with a suitcase of cash in the back of a limo.
“I know Kirkland went to other promoters to talk about signing with them and to the credit of those other promoters, they said, ’We’re not interested in getting into another legal dispute.’”
For what it’s worth, I don’t see much coming of this. Golden Boy will probably wind up paying Shaw. Either way, they get their fighter, Gary gets some money, and the world keeps spinnin’.
"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum
by Scott Christ on Oct 16, 2008 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
HMM
I thought Hatton-Malignaggi was on Versus, not HBO. If so, why would HBO even be involved?
Vogt early, Vogt often.
it's on HBO
The Lazcano fight was on Vs. because HBO and Showtime showed no interest and Versus was thrilled to pick up a Ricky Hatton fight. So he got a relatively easy comeback opponent and American TV coverage. But Ricky’s still an HBO dude.
"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum
by Scott Christ on Oct 17, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I like Kirkland too, but he’s definitely flawed. Which of the 154 prospects do you all see going the farthest?
I like Joel Julio the best. Less defensive indifference than Kirkland, far faster hands than Angulo. But if it turns out Angulo can take a shot like his pseudo-mentor Margarito, I guess that won’t matter a whole lot.
"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum
by Scott Christ on Oct 16, 2008 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
i’m hoping angulo does have that kind of chin— he must be pretty durable to have lasted as marg’s sparring partner (especially since tony is known for brutal sparring).
by boxingstudent on Oct 16, 2008 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
The way I see it
1) Matirosyan – Julio probably has more potential, but Vanes is a better boxer and doesn’t seem to have any major flaws. He’s being moved a lot more slowly than the others, but he’s also younger. The big question mark is his chin, and if it proves to be shaky, obviously that drops him a couple notches.
2) Angulo – Has his flaws, and will eventually get outboxed by a quick fighter, but I can see him being a multiple-time beltholder
3) Julio – The most talented, but doesn’t seem to have his head on straight most of the time
4) Kirkland – Probably the biggest gate attraction of the bunch long-term
5) Greene – More talented than Angulo also, but years behind in terms of boxing skills
43) JCC Jr.
I know he’s a weight class up, but I like Danny Jacobs better than all of them.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
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