BoxRec

Remember him? Last I seen of him on a clip on Youtube he wasn't looking too good. Is he OK? I hope he's managed to sort himself out. Good boxer.

Hes doing ok at the moment according to his Brother Tony Laing .

I spoke to Tony about him at a show on 1st june and he told me he had been to see Kirkland the previous week and that he was in high spirits before going on to tell a few stories about him to another ex pro i was with .

Good to hear such a nice guy and so talented it was tragic what happened to him I just hope the tight bastards in the government aren't cutting his benefits. -Tony wasn't bad either.

rm1 wrote:Good to hear such a nice guy and so talented it was tragic what happened to him I just hope the tight bastards in the government aren't cutting his benefits. -Tony wasn't bad either.

Ive never actually met Kirkland despite knowing tony for quite some time , Tony trains a few boxers for me , Nice enough bloke , hes at every boxing show across notts regardless of whos boxing , wether it be pro , amateur or unlicensed hes guaranteed to be there .

He's had/got the greatest nickname in boxing....."The Gifted One". Plus he supposedly got stoned before beating Rocky Kelly(?) in a British title fight

So all in all he's a Legend, glad too hear he's doing OK

One of the most gifted (talent wise) fighters I have ever seen on tv...along with Errol Christie.

Shame neither won world honours.

rhino222 wrote:One of the most gifted (talent wise) fighters I have ever seen on tv...along with Errol Christie.

Shame neither won world honours.

Yes Kirk was a great fighter and such a laid back guy and he never achieved what he should have done but that was Kirk just the way he was but great fighter in his day Pleased to hear that he is doing ok He was the gifted one but sadly the application wasnt his forte

He was my favourite fighter growing up

He was living up in North Wales, working on the hod a few years ago. Amazing to think he beat Duran, then not so long after was working on site.

There was a thing on telly recently (or was it a repeat?) with Steve Bunce going to look for him and finding him (I think) somewhere in Hackney..possibly. He (Laing) looked physically ok (ish) but he was obviously lost to the bevvy and/or the weed or..erm..something else that does you no good. D He was a VERY skilled lad that's for sure, but too easily sidetracked. His ability combined with Steve Collins application and you'd (imo) have had a fighter who'd have been a title-winning machine.

ejruane wrote:There was a thing on telly recently (or was it a repeat?) with Steve Bunce going to look for him and finding him (I think) somewhere in Hackney..possibly. He (Laing) looked physically ok (ish) but he was obviously lost to the bevvy and/or the weed or..erm..something else that does you no good. D He was a VERY skilled lad that's for sure, but too easily sidetracked. His ability combined with Steve Collins application and you'd (imo) have had a fighter who'd have been a title-winning machine.

I believe hes now in south Yorkshire , possibly in a care home but dont quote me on that .

the last time I saw Kirk was about 5/6 years ago when he was guest of honour at the Midlands Area Awards dinner and he was ok then albeit he wasnt walking too well after his accident but he had improved considerably since the time I saw him before when he was on crutches at a Dinner Boxing show in Nottingham but on both occasions he was on good form laughing and Joking with everybody as usual my best wishes go out too him and his family Kirk sure was a character

I see Laing won 4 British Title fights ? Does anyone know if he still has a Lonsdale Belt ?

Darcy Delaney wrote:I see Laing won 4 British Title fights ? Does anyone know if he still has a Lonsdale Belt ?

Highly unlikely.

Laing deserved a crack at a world title after he crushed a Frenchman for the European welterweight title in London in 1990 but Mickey Duff was unable to secure him a shot. (Duff went through a lean period around this time as he also failed to secure world title shots for Pat Clinton. Pat Barrett and Derek Angol.)

mickey1975 wrote:

Darcy Delaney wrote:I see Laing won 4 British Title fights ? Does anyone know if he still has a Lonsdale Belt ?

Highly unlikely.

i was thinking the same but I wonder where it is and who has it ?