James Kirkland (boxer)


James Derick Kirkland is an American professional boxer who held the regional WBO–NABO junior middleweight title in 2008. He was one of boxing's most prominent junior middleweight prospects in the late 2000s and early 2010s, until an 18-month prison stint set his career back significantly. Nicknamed the "Mandingo Warrior", Kirkland is known for being a highly aggressive southpaw pressure fighter with formidable punching power, having scored 82% per cent of his victories via knockout.

Amateur career

Kirkland has an amateur record of 134–12. and won the Silver Gloves championship four years in a row and lost on a controversial decision to James Patterson in the finals of the National Golden Gloves.
Instead of going to the Olympics, Kirkland turned professional to provide for his family.

Professional career

Kirkland turned professional in August 2001 in San Antonio, Texas. In his debut Kirkland defeated fellow debutant Maurice Chalmers with a third-round knockout. Kirkland has been trained by former women's champion Ann Wolfe since 2001. On November 22, 2008, Kirkland won an 8th round technical knockout versus Brian Vera. Kirkland dropped Vera twice in Round 2. On March 7, 2009, Kirkland defeated Joel Julio on HBO's Boxing After Dark at the HP Pavilion in San Jose by TKO after Round 6.

Return to boxing

On March 5, 2011, Kirkland returned to the ring after an almost 2-year layoff to defeat Ahsandi Gibbs via first-round KO.
On April 9, 2011, Kirkland faced Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan, in what was supposed to be a stay-busy fight for Kirkland. However, in a stunning upset, the previously undefeated Kirkland was stopped in the first round by the Japanese fighter, who isn't known for being a big puncher having only 7 KO's in 29 fights, getting knocked down 3 times. After the loss, Kirkland split with trainer Kenny Adams and reunited with Ann Wolfe. Kirkland and Wolfe had broken up after Kirkland went to prison.
Kirkland came back from his first-round knockout loss to score three knockdowns over Alexis Hloros en route to a second-round knockout. He entered the fight his usual aggression, looking to mix it up immediately and scored two knockdowns in the opening round. First, Hloros went down during a flurry and then he took a knee during another stream of punches.

Kirkland vs. Angulo

On November 5, 2011, in a highly exciting fight, Kirkland rose from a first round knockdown to defeat Angulo via 6th-round TKO.
In addition to his aforementioned victories over Angulo, Kirkland's other notable wins have been against Brian Vera, who just lost a controversial decision to Julio César Chávez Jr., Joel Julio and Eromosele Albert.
On October 16, 2013 it was announced that Kirkland, has signed with promoter/rap star 50 Cent and his company SMS Promotions and has his next fight lined up.
On December 7, 2013, Kirkland continued his winning ways with a sixth-round TKO of 23-year-old prospect Glen Tapia at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. In the article, Kirkland was described as 'potentially, the most dominant offensive force in boxing since a prime Mike Tyson'.

Kirkland vs. Álvarez

Kirkland fought former Super Welterweight Champion Canelo Álvarez after his decision victory over Erislandy Lara on July 12. The fight took place on May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas with Kirkland losing by KO in 3rd round.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
36Win34–2 Jas PhippsTKO2, 3:00Nov 9, 2019
Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.		-
35Win33–2 Colby CourterTKO1, 2:15Aug 24, 2019 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.-
34Loss32–2 Canelo ÁlvarezKO3, 2:19May 9, 2015 Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas, U.S.-
33Win32–1 Glen TapiaKO6, 0:38Dec 7, 2013 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.-
32Win31–1 Carlos Molina10, 3:00Mar 24, 2012 Reliant Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title;
Molina disqualified after his cornermen entered the ring too early		-
31Win30–1 Alfredo AnguloTKO6, 1:58Nov 5, 2011 Centro, Cancún, MexicoWon WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title-
30Win29–1 Alexis HlorosTKO2, 0:25Jul 23, 2011 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.-
29Win28–1 Dennis SharpeKO1, 2:18Jun 24, 2011 Dr Pepper Arena, Frisco, Texas, U.S.-
28Loss27–1 Nobuhiro IshidaTKO1, 1:52Apr 9, 2011 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.-
27Win27–0 Jhon BerrioKO2, 1:02Mar 18, 2011 Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, California, U.S.-
26Win26–0 Ahsandi GibbsKO1, 0:34Mar 5, 2011 Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.-
25Win25–0 Joel JulioTKO6, 3:00Mar 7, 2009 HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, U.S.-
24Win24–0 Brian VeraTKO8, 1:45Nov 22, 2008 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.-
23Win23–0 Ricardo CortesTKO2, 1:59Sep 5, 2008 Music Hall, Austin, Texas, U.S.-
22Win22–0 Eromosele AlbertTKO1, 1:06May 17, 2008 Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBO–NABO light middleweight title-
21Win21–0 Allen ConyersTKO1, 2:56Nov 30, 2007 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.-
20Win20–0 Mohammad Said SalemKO2, 2:32Sep 1, 2007 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.-
19Win19–0 Ossie DuranUD10Jun 1, 2007 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.-
18Win18–0 Billy LyellTKO8, 0:34Feb 2, 2007 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.-
17Win17–0 David ToribioKO4, 1:35Dec 1, 2006 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.-
16Win16–0 Sherwin DavisRTD2, 3:00Oct 6, 2006 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.-
15Win15–0 Alexis Division3, 3:00Jul 28, 2006 Pureformance Training Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.-
14Win14–0 Ray CuninghamTKO1, 2:16Jun 3, 2006 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.-
13Win13–0 David EstradaTKO3, 1:05May 5, 2006 Lucky Star Casino, Concho, Oklahoma, U.S.-
12Win12–0 Manny CastilloTKO3, 2:37Apr 21, 2006 Omar Shrine Temple, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, U.S.-
11Win11–0 Russell JordanTKO1 Nov 6, 2003 Hilton, Washington, D.C., U.S.-
10Win10–0 Martinus ClayKO1, 0:54Aug 22, 2003 Silver Star Hotel and Casino, Choctaw, Mississippi, U.S.-
9Win9–0 Sergio SotoKO3, 0:54May 23, 2003 Lucky Star Casino, Concho, Oklahoma, U.S.-
8Win8–0 Rodney TappinUD4Mar 15, 2003 Club Life, Dallas, Texas, U.S.-
7Win7–0 Juan Carlos ArandayTKO3, 0:35Jan 31, 2003 Randy's Ballroom, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.-
6Win6–0 Edgar Pedraza4Oct 11, 2002 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.-
5Win5–0 Rashaan Abdul BlackburnTKO3 Sep 12, 2002 Nation, Washington, D.C., U.S.-
4Win4–0 Jose Luis RodriguesTKO1, 1:35Jul 13, 2002 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.-
3Win3–0 Maurice ChalmersTKO3, 2:20Dec 9, 2001 Crockett Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.-
2Win2–0 Juan Jaime Rodriguez1, 0:46Oct 26, 2001 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.-
1Win1–0 Maurice Chalmers3, 1:49Aug 25, 2001 Sunset Station, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Professional debut-

Outside the ring

As of 2009, Kirkland was on probation for an armed robbery conviction in 2003, for which he spent 30 months in prison.
On Sunday, April 19, 2009, Kirkland was stopped in Austin traffic and arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon, with a possibility of prison time if he is convicted. On Wednesday, September 23, 2009, Kirkland was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to the firearm charge. Kirkland was released from prison in September 2010 and spent several more months in a halfway house in Austin, Texas.
In June 2013, Kirkland was again arrested - this time for assault - and jailed in Texas. Ring observers believe that these legal troubles will negatively impact Kirkland's career.