If Kirkland shows up in good fighting shape, it's gonna be a long night for Canelo. I wanna see if he really tries to **** with Kirk. Mexican style like they like to say. Well, Kirkland can slug it out too so I wanna see how this plays out.
It would have been more telling if they had fought the first time the fight was brought up. Coming off a 1.5 year layoff with a different trainer I'm not sure how impressive an early knockout would be. I'd be much more impressed if Kirkland showed up obviously game and Canelo scored a late KO after a good back and forth.
Hard to triangle theory this fight because I don't think anyone Canelo beat would have Kirkland's number other than Lara and the Angulo's they fought were three years apart and obviously different fighters. Hell, the Angulo who fought Lara was a different fighter from what Canelo got.
Kirkland's lone loss was against Ishida, but it's important to mention that he had already fought three weeks prior and two weeks prior to that. He also didn't have Wolfe for that fight and looked soft...like he only made weight through extreme dehydration, which effects punch resistance and explains why a normally featherfisted fighter could do what he did.
Ishida has never replicated that performance before or since and seven months later you can see the difference in the first round onslaught of El Perro.
That's why it's an interesting matchup and there's no point in guessing for this one. Only thing to do is tune in. I do expect that if Kirkland looks like garbage Canelo won't get any credit though. We want competitive fights and if it disappoints the first thing people will mention is why he passed on Cotto.
Better chin
Better stamina "it sounds crazy, but Kirkland's stamina is not good either"
Faster hands
Better foot work
Better defense
Bigger following "judges assistance" "judges darling"
Pros Kirkland
Better inside fighter
Kirkland would need a KO to win this fight, and even then, the announcer might still say "by change of decision of commission" SAUL, CANELLLLLLLLLLO Alvarez
People are uderselling Kirand here because of his little fluke loss against that one tall Asian dude. Canelo should win, but his power is certainly overrated and if Kirkland makes it into rds 3,4,5 then Canelo is in for something brutal IMO.
I agree, the longer the fight goes, the better chance Kirkland has to get in some hard punches. Canelo has to be prepared to go 12 rounds, and not fade. That's if James is in shape.
The only concern is all the "ifs " with Kirkland. Will he be focus, in shape, and prepared. If the answer is yes, then Canelo could be in for a hard fight. This is the kinda fight that can mentally and physically ruin a fighter. James can crack.
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