??personalities like Kirkland, regardless of their talents have a high resistance to all things common sense. They-will march to the beat of their own drum until the music is played out.??Poster named Pete the Sneak
When James ?The Mandingo Warrior? Kirkland came back in the first round against Alfred Angulo in a thrilling fight on a hot and humid night in Cancun, Mexico, it appeared that he might have reached the sunshine in a life that had been mostly less than bright. And sometimes getting to the sunshine can be a lifelong trek; some make it, others don?t. Some don?t even realize it when they get there and that may have been James?s problem.
Kirkland has been in and out of prison more than once, has a long history of trainer issues with Anne Wolfe, and has been involved in lawsuits with promotional companies over the last several years..
In his latest imbroglio, the former WBO-NABO super welterweight champion (32-2) was arrested in Austin, Texas on August 8 on charges of contempt of court and non-payment for child support.
As for boxing, the heavy-handed Kirkland has suffered from inactivity since the Angulo affair on November 5, 2011. He beat Carlos Molina by controversial DQ in March 2012and then splattered undefeated Glen Tapia in December 2013. Eighteen months later, he in turn was waxed in frightening manner by Canelo Alvarez by what many called ?The Knockout of the Year.?
Whether he can avoid becoming another boxing ?what if?; another wasted talent remains to be seen. Maybe he can learn from what happened to others like Reuben ?Ratman? Bell, Ike Ibeabuchi, Ricky Womack, Tony Ayala, and Mike ?The Bounty? Hunter, but even if he can, does he have anything left after the Canelo massacre?
