Kirkland closes FNF season with another TKO

by Scott Christ on Sep 6, 2008 12:46 AM EDT in Boxing Results and Post-Fight Analysis

Austin native and KO artist James Kirkland ended the 10th season of Friday Night Fights with a bang, scoring a second-round TKO over Ricardo Cortes in the main event.

Kirkland (23-0, 20 KO) was the heavy favorite against Cortes despite giving up four inches of height to the lanky, 6'1" underdog, partly because he's been so overwhelming in recent bouts and partly because he was fighting at the Austin Music Hall in Texas, which is a super room for boxing, by the way.

Kirkland dropped Cortes in the second round, and though Cortes continued on, the fight was stopped moments later with Kirkland throwing and showing no regard for caution. Cortes thought the stoppage was a bit quick (as did I and as did ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas), but it's another one of those times where I don't think you can argue that the outcome was in any doubt.

It was also the 24-year old Kirkland's first fight since leaving Gary Shaw. With trainer Ann Wolf at his side, I think Kirkland will be just fine without Shaw. He's got the type of fighter that will never, ever have trouble finding a TV home, which means he won't have trouble finding decent opponents, either. In the 154-pound division, there just aren't many guys that offer his level of excitement.

On the undercard, Rolando Reyes won a close decision against fellow veteran Ivan Valle, a fight that Atlas had scored as a draw. Reyes improves to 30-4-2 (19) in boxing's toughest division.

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Worth it

This kid is nice. Not a great performance lastnight because of that KO hunt. Although, I thought the ref should had kept the fight going a bit more, but it was bound to happen. I’ve seen him fight before a couple of times and always delivers looking forward to his future.

"I beat him so bad, he ended up in the Hospital. And I am still pretty." -Cassius Clay

by CRAZEDANG1280 on Sep 6, 2008 3:38 PM EDT reply actions

Kirkland vs. Cortes was so unfair!!!!

I cant believe how stupid this fight ended!! first of all no one seems to want to comment on how Kirkland was seconds away from going down in the 1st Rd.!! I’m sure he under estimated Cortes’ power! 2nd of all what the hell was up with Kirkland getting away with CLEARLY hitting Cortes while he was down?? where was the DQ for Kirkland? or at least the point deduction along with a few mins for Cortes to recover?? that to me was scandalous!!! I’m sure if Cortes would have pulled that one he would have been DQ’ed on the spot!! AND then to top if off the stupid! ref goes and stops it way too early!! Cortes was fighting back!! I dont understand it! that to me and alot of others I heard from was total and clear FAVORITETISM!!! I would love a rematch and I would bet CORTES would beat Kirkland!! Kirkland had the nerve to make excuses after the fight that he made alot of mistakes and that he didnt feel comfortable fighting at home!! How lame is that??? TRANSLATION: I didnt expect for Cortes to be that powerful and damn he almost KO’ed me in the 1st!!!! I’m glad the ref. so unfairly stopped it early cuz I wouldnt have passed the 5th RD.!! AND everyone knows its the fighter not fighting in his hometown that feels pressured, not the hometown fighter!! stop making excuses!! and give Cortes a rematch!!

by BOXfan on Sep 8, 2008 1:06 PM EDT reply actions