Following his impressive win on HBO after dark a few weeks back we caught up with man of the moment James Kirkland 25-0(22). Kirkland 25, won a genuine 50-50 match up when he battered Joel Julio for 6 rounds. The world seems to be the heavy handed pressure fighting Texans oyster. He’ll return on 2 May in the prime slot as chief support to the biggest fight of the year so far Hatton-Pacquiao against Michael Walker 19-1(12) if as expected Kirkland wins he’ll likely head to a title shot against WBO 154 title holder Sergei Dzindziruk again on HBO after dark.
Hello James, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Congratulation’s on your big win Saturday. That was an impressive win. Looking back at the fight how do you view it? When do you hope to be back in action next?
James Kirkland – I’m supposed to headline another HBO Boxing After Dark show on June 27th, however there is also a possibility that I’ll be on the May 2nd Hatton undercard. So I may fight twice in the next 100 days
Anson Wainwright – You were with Gary Shaw but have left to join Golden Boy. How did that come about?
James Kirkland – We felt that Gary Shaw breached his contract with me and through my manager/attorney Michael Miller we sued him to get out of our contract. We settled with Gary and got a release from him which allowed us to sign with GBP
Anson Wainwright – Your a rarity in that you are trained by a woman trainer former fight Ann Wolfe. She seems to bring out the best in you and you appear a good team. How did you meet Ann and start working together?
James Kirkland – Ann and I met when I was about 14 years old at a gym in East Austin where Pops Billingsley was training a bunch of amateur fighters
Anson Wainwright – Your turned pro in 2001 at 17 i believe. However unfortunately you went to prison for a couple of years. You have since turned you life around. Looking back what can you tell us about this experience?
James Kirkland – I was basically homeless and doing a bunch of stupid things that got me in trouble. Boxing is providing me a great opportunity to get away from the bad life I once lived and live a much more peaceful life. I enjoy having the money to take care of my family and not having to worry where my next meal is coming from.
Anson Wainwright – How did you get into Boxing?
James Kirkland – My mother used to box so she always liked it and she dropped me off at Pops gym when I was 6 years old to keep me out of trouble
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing?
James Kirkland – Spend time with my two sons, James, Jr. 4 years old and Michael 2 years old
Anson Wainwright – What do you make of the Champions at 154 WBC Vernon Forrest, WBA Daniel Santos, IBF Vacant & WBO Sergei Dzindziruk?
James Kirkland – I don’t know much about them. All I know is they have what I want, and that’s a title.
Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?
James Kirkland – I want to be a champion and win a title and hold it as long as possible. By doing this I’ll make a name for myself as a top level boxer
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have any messages for your fans?
James Kirkland – Thanks for all of your support and for believing in me. I promise not to let you down and to press hard to win a title in the near future
Thanks James and keep up the good work
Anson Wainwright
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