James Kirkland vs Carlos Molina Done for January 28 on HBO

by Scott Christ on Dec 7, 2011 11:09 PM EST in Boxing News Analysis

James Kirkland is set to return on January 28, on HBO. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

The fight between 154-pounders James Kirkland and Carlos Molina is official, reports Ryan Maquiñana, and will be televised on HBO Boxing After Dark on January 28.

This is the same date that could see a fight between Erik Morales and Danny Garcia in the main event, rather than the Marcos Maidana vs Devon Alexander card that is coming in February. Kirkland was originally linked to that show, but will instead move to January 28. Or Golden Boy could move Maidana vs Alexander date up, too. Nothing official has been set as far as venue for either fight, and the only talk for Maidana vs Alexander was "February" so far, so we'll see. (Houston is the supposed target for the January 28 card.)

[ Related: Morales vs Garcia Possible ]

Either way, though, this fight is happening, which leaves Delvin Rodriguez and Austin Trout out there for one another, and as we said earlier, Steve Kim reports there is legitimate interest from both sides in making that fight for Trout's WBA "regular" title.

I rate Molina higher at 154 right now than I do Rodriguez, but I think this is a much less risky style matchup for Kirkland. Molina is crafty, but not with any sort of slickness -- he's there to be hit if you throw back, but his activity can overwhelm a guy like Erislandy Lara, who wanted to take his time and frankly probably looked past Molina a bit, or a Kermit Cintron who is a shot fighter not very enthusiastic about a tough fight anymore.

Kirkland himself is very active, so that won't be a problem for him. Kirkland fights like an enraged bull, and while his chin has been an issue, Nobuhiro Ishida got him with pinpoint-type shots that floored an unsteady Kirkland, who had yet to reunite with trainer Ann Wolfe, and the shot Alfredo Angulo knocked him down with would have put just about anyone on the canvas.

To me, this fight is tailor-made for James Kirkland. That doesn't mean I don't like the fight, because I do. It's going to have action. But where I would have made Delvin Rodriguez, at the least, a very live 'dog, Carlos Molina is once again in the role of serious underdog, in my view.

Then again, he's been there before, and he doesn't really mind.

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Rafael was indicating that it indeed will be the co-feature to Morales-Garcia.

I have a bad feeling that even if Trout-Rodriguez gets made, it won’t be picked up by HBO or Showtime.

by bachwards on Dec 7, 2011 11:22 PM EST reply actions

I really think Showtime would do it, even if they had to find a way to make it a special ShoBox.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Dec 7, 2011 11:27 PM EST up reply actions

I think Hershman would have done it while he was at Showtime but I’m not sure if the new leadership will. Hopefully I’m wrong.

by bachwards on Dec 7, 2011 11:31 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think a whole lot is going to change other than Espinoza might target a few more not huge but big fights like Ortiz-Berto. With the Super Six off the table, they’ll have more money to spend on fights like that instead of saving it for thrillers with Arthur Abraham.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Dec 7, 2011 11:34 PM EST up reply actions

I had heard speculation that there was going to be a mass exodus of Haymon fighters to Showtime, which could still really constrain the amount of dates and money available for fights like this. In fairness they didn’t really overpay for Berto-Ortiz II, but if Williams gets a nice payday against a soft touch, I think there will obviously be reason to be concerned.

by bachwards on Dec 7, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions

Eh, I heard that too, but Paul Williams still has a little name value left, and Berto-Ortiz II is just a good pickup. I mean we’ll see, but from what I can tell the speculation was based on these two fights. If they bid against themselves and overpaid for Williams, it’ll still take time to figure out if they simply took a bad gamble on Tall Paul or if they’re going to be hornswoggled repeatedly by Devious Al.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Dec 7, 2011 11:48 PM EST up reply actions

I would seriously be surprised if it didn’t make TV somewhere too. Just too obvious a fight to get on TV given the participants and their recent exposure.

by VirtualBalboa on Dec 8, 2011 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

This is a great, great fight. Tough matchmaking that doesn’t favor anyone and for once, a real opportunity for Carlos Molina to get himself into major contention at 154.

by VirtualBalboa on Dec 8, 2011 12:39 AM EST reply actions

I agree

Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"

by Matt Miller on Dec 8, 2011 7:32 PM EST up reply actions

Trap fight for Kirkland. Molina I consider to be a very live underdog. I give him a good shot of winning. The situation (not the fighters) reminds me some what of Forrest-Mayorga. In which Vernon was riding high following the Mosley wins and didn’t take Mayorga as serious as he should. Kirkland is different type of fighter. But he too is riding high following the Angulo stoppage. And Molina is a fighter that looks like he should be looked over

All of it. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie. I want it all.

by Eugene Banks on Dec 8, 2011 1:32 AM EST reply actions

Good point

Molina looks hungry. James better know it.

"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali

by pakinpower on Dec 8, 2011 2:29 AM EST up reply actions

All of James’ fights at this point are going to be either challenging or trap fights. Kirkland and Wolfe want to make the most of his post-prison career and they are looking to move James quickly. I wish that all fighters had the matchmaking mentality of James.

"The bell that tolls for all in boxing belongs to a cash register."
-Bob Verdi

by Waldo Rastel on Dec 8, 2011 5:22 AM EST up reply actions

I want Angulo-Kirkland 2

The first one was fun. Lets do it again.

by journeyintosound on Dec 8, 2011 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t. Kirkland beat the living shit out of him. Outside of the first two minutes the fight wasn’t remotely close. Angulo isn’t good. I said it.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Dec 8, 2011 6:41 PM EST up reply actions

Forrest hadn't had his Ishida moment.

The way Wolf gets him ready, and that fact that his pedestal has crumbled once before has to change the psychology of how he approaches these opportunities.

by younggunzvt on Dec 8, 2011 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

I agree that it seems like the style matchup here favors Kirkland. Molina is not that hard to hit and doesn’t have great speed, so the toe-to-toe exchanges will greatly favor Kirkland. I think Kirkland will get a highlight reel win in this one.

by SilverLaker on Dec 8, 2011 2:47 AM EST reply actions

This a a good fight. Great to see Molina get his big tv shot and Kirkland and his team are comfortable to match themselves against guys that seem to have a legitimate shot of winning.

Nobody will read this and care and why should they?

by Eoin_not_ian on Dec 8, 2011 7:15 AM EST reply actions

Not to be a cynic, but I’m already hoping Molina still is getting shots after getting throttled by Kirkland, which is what I expect will happen. I’m a big Molina fan, but I’m also in the camp that this is an awful style match-up for him. Molina overwhelms with activity; Kirkland breathes for that style of fighter.

On the other hand, massive ups to Molina for taking this fight.

by schraubd on Dec 8, 2011 12:01 PM EST reply actions