By Alex Mattis
Houston, Texas is never quiet. So, that ruins any hopes of having a clever opening line like “It’s quiet in Houston, Texas… A little too quiet. One may say, it’s the calm before the storm.” that I was hoping for. No, Houston is really loud. Like it always is. However, what was heard yesterday when Saul “Canelo” Alvarez hit the stage today was a noticeable increase in the local volume.
Canelo Alvarez is a star and not even his highly-publicized loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2013 could waver that. The crowd reaction he’s received every time he has stepped in front of a crowd since would indicate that he never even lost. His presence in Texas has become something of spectacle; first fighting at the Alamodome in front of 40,000+ in 2013 and, today, at Minute Maid Park where the Houston Astros have recently started their season. His star power is not to be questioned and neither are his fighting abilities. While on 24 years-old, Canelo has asserted himself as one of the most exciting and drawing acts in boxing. The future is a bright one for Alvarez.
James Kirkland is what, at this point, is the standard boxing tale of “what could have been.” He burst on to the seen, leaving a path of destruction that led some to dub him “the little Tyson.” Legal and personal problems however, have made his career as a boxer an uncertain one. This is a gigantic opportunity for him. Yes, the fact that he ditched Anne Wolfe (the last time he did, he was humiliated by Nobuhiro Ishida in his only loss) and is utilizing his current camp for the first time ever, in the biggest fight of his career, is alarming. James Kirkland has the kind of punching power you can never doubt, though.
It’s so weird. This is something only the all-encompassing combat sports fans will understand, but I feel like this is Forest Griffin vs. Keith Jardine from UFC 66. The heavily beloved talent of his division, back on the rise pitted against this battle-tested but no-one-really-thinks-is-going-to-win brawler. Now obviously, I understand it’s a different sport and the skill level is VERY different but the story feels so familiar. Point being, no one should automatically rule-out James Kirkland.
From the opening bell, this should be a war. Something that the people who were disappointed by the Mayweather-Pacquiao event from last weekend may want to tune into. This bout should satiate any and all desire for wild combat. The way there two pair-up, I honestly don’t see this one reaching the eight round. Buckle up.
Canelo and Kirkland both weighed-in at 154.5 yesterday on the scales.
The co-feature, sadly, is off. Frankie Gomez came in over-weight at 147.5 for a fight that was, originally, scheduled at 140. Despite the cancellation, Humberto Soto is said to still be getting paid. Golden Boy can’t be too pleased with this one…
All the action goes down tonight on HBO at 9pm ET.
