Roc Nation Sports announced moments ago that James Kirkland has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled February 25 pay-per-view matchup against Miguel Cotto due to injury.
Kirkland reportedly suffered a fractured nose in training. The entire card, which also featured junior featherweight titleholder Guillermo Rigondeaux against Moses Flores in the co-main event, has been called off. How much consideration was given to finding a replacement opponent was not disclosed.
The cancellation prolongs the ring inactivity of both main eventers. Cotto last fought in November 2015, losing a competitive 12-round decision to Canelo Alvarez. Kirkland’s last bout was a one-sided, third-round knockout to Alvarez in May 2015.
Roc Nation has promised to refund all tickets purchased for the event.
I hate to speculate, but did anyone else immediately think of Ann Wolfe’s medieval training methods? Sure, we’ve seen fights get canceled from freak injuries like cuts in sparring, but it’s hard not to think Wolfe’s brutal sparring sessions on a shopworn fighter like Kirkland didn’t heighten the possibility of injury. See below from several years ago:
Yes, Kirkland battered him but that kind of sadistic “training” likely had him taking his fair share of lumps this time around, especially coming off a year-plus layoff. Hell, who says Wolfe didn’t do it herself?
We’ll see if Kirkland’s camp decides to elaborate on exactly how the injury occurred.
Photo Credit: Miguel Cotto Promotions/Hector Santos Guia
Yesterday, Miguel Cotto and James Kirkland held their kickoff press conference to officially announce their February 25 pay-per-view matchup.
The fight is a comeback of sorts for both fighters. Kirkland last fought in May 2015, suffering three knockdowns in a blowout third round KO loss to Canelo Alvarez. Cotto’s last bout was also against Canelo in losing a 12-round unanimous decision.
Kirkland’s career has been mired by inactivity. February’s bout will represent only his third contest since 2013. He cites subpar preparation as the reason for the Canelo loss and believes reuniting with trainer Ann Wolfe, who guided Kirkland to his biggest career wins over Alfredo Angulo and Glen Tapia, will be the difference.
“I didn’t give it my all when I fought Canelo Alvarez,” said Kirkland. “I didn’t prepare the way I needed to but I’m not going to bring any excuses to the table. This fight is to show my team, my fans and everyone who has followed and supported me, that James Kirkland is still in the race. Kirkland is still here to make a stand. Keep my name alive, please attend and watch it come February 25. It’s going to be a war.”
Cotto vs. Kirkland takes place live on HBO from the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. Tickets go on sale December 22.
Much respect to Miguel Cotto, but now it’s my era.
LAS VEGAS — Miguel Cotto had the right strategy, but not the physical tools against Canelo Alvarez, who is now the lineal, RING Magazine and WBC middleweight champion after scoring a wide unanimous decision win at the Mandalay Bay. Although this wasn’t a drama-filled bout, fans were treated to a high-level chess match that showed the elite skills and limitations of both men. Does Gennady Golovkin loom in the distance?
CATCHWEIGHT NULLIFIED: Cotto’s 155 pound catchweight was supposed to even the playing field, but Canelo still appeared to be over 170 pounds in the ring. Cotto opted to box from the outside by turning Canelo, pumping the jab, and countering with left hooks. The problem was the reach disadvantage allowed Canelo to neutralize Cotto’s attempts to press by simply taking a step or two backwards. This meant the fight was contested mostly at long and mid-range, where the younger Canelo held the speed advantage.
By the third round, Canelo was able to land lead right hands and physically move Cotto backwards with body shots. The power disparity put Cotto behind the eight-ball in scoring since he had to widely outwork Canelo to take rounds, leading to tired legs in the later rounds.
TOE TO TOE GAMBLING: By the midway point, Cotto seemed to sense he was behind and began a new tactic of occasionally coming right at Canelo. These exchanges were exciting with each man landing their best shots. Unfortunately for Cotto, the size and power disparity left him getting the worse of most of them. Canelo’s punches would knock him backwards and Cotto would always be the one to retreat first, adding to the impression of Canelo being in full control.
(AP Photo/John Locher)
STAMINA AND FIGHTING TO SURVIVE VS. FIGHTING TO WIN: Once the fight hit the championship rounds, you could hear Cotto in the corner counting down to the end (“nine minutes left… six minutes left…”). This was significant in the sense that mentally Cotto was more focused on getting through the fight as opposed to Canelo, who was throwing most of his shots with the intention of getting a KO.
Nonetheless, Canelo’s biggest weakness, his stamina, reared its ugly head in the later rounds. Instead of really pressing Cotto, Canelo took full rounds off (noticeably the 10th), that let Cotto steal rounds. He avoided any serious damage, but it remains to be seen how much of a detriment that would be against an opponent the same size.
WIDE OR APPROPRIATE SCORING: I scored the bout 117-111. Cotto had solid ring generalship and defense in most rounds, but that wasn’t enough to overcome Canelo’s clear, effective punching. Yes, it’s a challenge when you face someone who’s bigger with punches are so much more heavier, but it’s not impossible to overcome (see the Mayweather-Maidana fights). Cotto just couldn’t avoid the right hands, body shots and uppercuts enough to take rounds. And when he tried to go all out in the final round, he got beat up and suffered a deep, flowing cut over his left eye.
The official judges had it 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111.
WHAT’S NEXT?: Now that Canelo’s the WBC champion, he obligated to face mandatory opponent Gennady Golovkin. Although he didn’t budge on saying the bout has to happen, Canelo was also clear on his terms as the “A-side.”
I’m not afraid of any fighter. Gennady “GGG” Golovkin is a great fighter, and he is my friend. I have respect for him, but if we do fight, it’s going to be at my weight class. I’m the champion, and I don’t have to do what he wants.
“My weight class” means something under 160, which Golovkin has never done and it’s not a good idea to start at 33 years old.
Based on what we saw tonight, you have to favor Golovkin by a wide margin. I see Canelo breaking GGG’s KO streak, but  his habit of taking 30-60 seconds off of rounds would sink him against the Kazakhstan beast.
As for Cotto, I’d like to see him hang up the gloves. There are no bigger paydays than what Canelo was for him. A swan song at Madison Square Garden would be fitting.
For those not in Las Vegas, BeatsBoxingMayhem has you covered with a live stream on the untelevised undercard. Beginning at 7 p.m. ET, you can enjoy the fights listed below.
We’re hours away from Cotto-Canelo and now it’s time to hop off the fence. Will Cotto’s experience be enough, or are youth and size the determining factors that put Canelo over the top? This video, compiled by Jeandra LeBeauf of BadCulture.net, compiles my thoughts and those of my extended media family on who pulls out the victory. Check it out and see if any of us change your opinion.
Before you watch the big showdown, watch the final episode of HBO’s 24/7 Cotto vs. Canelo. Both fighters and their trainers give their final thoughts on what fans to expect.
We’re about 24 hours away from the big middleweight showdown between Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez. Stream their final confrontation before fight night as BeatsBoxingMayhem streams the weigh-in in its entirety. Also included will be the televised undercard. The live stream begins at 5:30 p.m.
