Kirkland To Return On Alvarez/Hatton Undercard

Golden Boy promotions officially announced today that James Kirkland will be stepping back into the ring on the under card of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Matthew “Magic” Hatton this Saturday, March 5, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

This will be Kirkland’s first fight in two years and he will face Ashandi Gibbs in an eight round middleweight matchup; undefeated heavyweight Seth Mitchell looking to continue his rise to the top of the division when he faces veteran Charles Davis in a ten round battle; highly-regarded middleweight contender Daniel Jacobs facing Minnesota’s Robert Kliewer in a ten round bout; and unbeaten rising stars Alfonso Blanco and Trevor McCumby taking to the ring to showcase their talents for Southern California fight fans

Austin’s James Kirkland (25-0, 22 KO’s) is back and ready to resume his quest for a world championship after two years away from the ring. A crowd pleasing power-puncher who has thrilled fans with his knockouts of Eromosele Albert, Ricardo Cortes, Brian Vera and Joel Julio, the 26-year old southpaw’s return is one of the most highly-anticipated in recent years. Looking to derail the Kirkland Express is St. Petersburg spoiler Ashandi “Mr. Brixx” Gibbs (10-2, 4 KO’s). A four-year veteran who has become a fan favorite in Florida, Gibbs has the style and determination to test any opponent, and when he steps into the ring with Kirkland this weekend, it’s with one goal – to win.

Heavyweight sensation Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (20-0-1, 14 KO’s) had his biggest year to date in 2010, going five for five with five knockouts, including wins over Taurus Sykes, Derek Bryant and Johnnie White. On Saturday, the former Michigan State University standout linebacker faces Tucson veteran Charles Davis (19-21-3, 4 KO’s), who returns to the ring following a draw with Monte Barrett in January and is hungry for a win over his undefeated opponent.

Former world title challenger Daniel “The Golden Child” Jacobs (21-1, 18 KO’s) bounced back from the lone loss of his career to Dmitry Pirog last July with a fifth round TKO of Jesse Orta in December. The 24-year-old Brooklyn native is looking to keep his usual active fight schedule going in 2011 against St. Paul, Minnesota’s Robert Kliewer (11-12-2, 5 KO’s). The 23-year-old Kliewer is coming off of an eight-round decision win over ‘The Contender’s Anthony Bonsante last December that saw him drop his foe three times en route to victory.

Also action this weekend will be middleweight Alfonso Blanco (2-0, 1 KO) of Caracas, Venzuela, who squares off against Puerto Rico’s Pablo Ruiz (0-2), and light heavyweight Trevor McCumby (1-0, 1 KO), who will face an opponent to be determined. Both bouts are scheduled for four rounds.