While not 100% finalized, it’s looking very good that the proposed Alfredo Angulo vs. James Kirkland junior middleweight scrap for November 5th will become a done deal. Angulo vs. Kirkland has long been a fight that hardcore boxing fans have been clamoring for, as both of the two were headlining the up-and-coming crop of 154 lbers at the same time several years ago as undefeated, power-punching studs. Not only two of the best in their weight class, they were touted as two of the best prospects in the entire sport of boxing.
Since then, Kirkland went to jail, came back and got knocked out, while Angulo lost to Kermit Cintron and got deported to Mexico. Each man is therefore still on the comeback trail after a loss, as well as a major career setback of the legal variety, and a win over the other will immediately put one back on the marquee.
Of course, those legal setbacks have created plenty of obstacles for the Angulo vs. Kirkland bout. Angulo cannot fight in the United States. Now promoted by Golden Boy, who puts on regular shows in Mexico, Angulo needs to fight in his home country in order to continue his career for the time being. Kirkland though is not far removed from his prison stint, and traveling outside of the USA may be outside of his own legal maneuverability.
It looks as though Kirkland will be allowed to travel to Mexico for this fight, and if that gets finalized and Kirkland signs his contract, then Angulo vs. Kirkland should be a go.
HBO would televise the Angulo-Kirkland bout, two of the pre-made stars they were hyping several years ago which never paid off for the network in full, but now could provide fans with one of the most entertaining and vicious fights of recent vintage.
While not as juicy as it would have been maybe three years ago, when both were undefeated and at their pre-setback peaks, it has plenty of intrigue and value now, and a win would be a star making performance for either man. Whichever fighter does come out ahead, boxing fans will be the real winner, as this is exactly the kind of fight, along with matches like Wolak vs. Rodriguez II, which the sport needs more of on a consistent basis.
