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 88% of his victories via knockout.
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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. Two weeks later he stopped Jhon Berrio by 2nd round TKO. Just 3 weeks after that, 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.

Outside of boxing

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. 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 arrested for assault causing bodily injury and family violence. In 2016 he was again arrested, this time for failing to pay child support.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
37Loss34–3Juan Macias MontielKO1, 1:56Dec 26, 2020Shrine Exposition Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
36Win34–2Jas PhippsTKO2, 3:00Nov 9, 2019Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
35Win33–2Colby CourterTKO1, 2:15Aug 24, 2019Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
34Loss32–2Canelo ÁlvarezKO3, 2:19May 9, 2015Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas, U.S.
33Win32–1Glen TapiaKO6, 0:38Dec 7, 2013Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Win31–1Carlos Molina10, 3:00Mar 24, 2012Reliant Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title;
Molina disqualified after his cornermen entered the ring too early
31Win30–1Alfredo AnguloTKO6, 1:58Nov 5, 2011Centro, Cancún, MexicoWon WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title
30Win29–1Alexis HlorosTKO2, 0:25Jul 23, 2011Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29Win28–1Dennis SharpeKO1, 2:18Jun 24, 2011Dr Pepper Arena, Frisco, Texas, U.S.
28Loss27–1Nobuhiro IshidaTKO1, 1:52Apr 9, 2011MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
27Win27–0Jhon BerrioKO2, 1:02Mar 18, 2011Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, California, U.S.
26Win26–0Ahsandi GibbsKO1, 0:34Mar 5, 2011Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
25Win25–0Joel JulioTKO6, 3:00Mar 7, 2009HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, U.S.
24Win24–0Brian VeraTKO8, 1:45Nov 22, 2008MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
23Win23–0Ricardo CortesTKO2, 1:59Sep 5, 2008Music Hall, Austin, Texas, U.S.
22Win22–0Eromosele AlbertTKO1, 1:06May 17, 2008Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant NABO light middleweight title
21Win21–0Allen ConyersTKO1, 2:56Nov 30, 2007Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
20Win20–0Mohammad Said SalemKO2, 2:32Sep 1, 2007Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
19Win19–0Ossie DuranUD10Jun 1, 2007Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
18Win18–0Billy LyellTKO8, 0:34Feb 2, 2007Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
17Win17–0David ToribioKO4, 1:35Dec 1, 2006Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
16Win16–0Sherwin DavisRTD2, 3:00Oct 6, 2006Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
15Win15–0Alexis Division3, 3:00Jul 28, 2006Pureformance Training Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
14Win14–0Ray CuninghamTKO1, 2:16Jun 3, 2006Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
13Win13–0David EstradaTKO3, 1:05May 5, 2006Lucky Star Casino, Concho, Oklahoma, U.S.
12Win12–0Manny CastilloTKO3, 2:37Apr 21, 2006Omar Shrine Temple, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, U.S.
11Win11–0Russell JordanTKO1 Nov 6, 2003Hilton, Washington, D.C., U.S.
10Win10–0Martinus ClayKO1, 0:54Aug 22, 2003Silver Star Hotel and Casino, Choctaw, Mississippi, U.S.
9Win9–0Sergio SotoKO3, 0:54May 23, 2003Lucky Star Casino, Concho, Oklahoma, U.S.
8Win8–0Rodney TappinUD4Mar 15, 2003Club Life, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
7Win7–0Juan Carlos ArandayTKO3, 0:35Jan 31, 2003Randy's Ballroom, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
6Win6–0Edgar Pedraza4Oct 11, 2002Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
5Win5–0Rashaan Abdul BlackburnTKO3 Sep 12, 2002Nation, Washington, D.C., U.S.
4Win4–0Jose Luis RodriguesTKO1, 1:35Jul 13, 2002The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
3Win3–0Maurice ChalmersTKO3, 2:20Dec 9, 2001Crockett Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
2Win2–0Juan Jaime Rodriguez1, 0:46Oct 26, 2001Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
1Win1–0Maurice Chalmers3, 1:49Aug 25, 2001Sunset Station, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.