BoxRec

Haven't heard even a whisper here about the Feb. 25 PPV showdown between comebacking Miguel Cotto and slugger James Kirkland.

I suppose there are some who don't think it's worthy of your PPV dollars. After all, Cotto is a faded relic of the all-action cyclone he was maybe 10 years ago, and hasn't fought since Canelo took a comfortable decision over him in November 2015.

And the erratic Kirkland has been even more inactive, not climbing into the ring since Canelo knocked him stiff in May 2015.

But what's not to like in this bout?

Sure Cotto, as I already opined, is past his Hall of Fame glory days. He says that this year will be his last in boxing, so the Puerto Rican already has at least one foot in retirement.

And Kirkland, despite his fearsome punch, has probably never been more than a B+ fighter---and that might be a bit too high a grade.

The biggest KO win on his record is over then hot Alfredo Angulo. But Angulo was probably vastly overrated, and the stoppage doesn't seem so special in hindsight.

Kirkland was nearly KO'd himself in the first round of that bout but demonstrated some toughness in surviving and then coming back to batter the Mexican.

Oddsmakers list Cotto, now 36, as a prohibitive 5-1 favorite.

It seems about right since he's been in with and has beaten a slew of top fighters.

Kirkland, on the other hand, has never risen to elite status, despite being one of the best P4P punchers in the sport.

His discipline has been questioned and his chin sometimes appears to be made of fine china.

But in this bout, Kirkland is once again reunited with no-nonsense trainer Ann Wolfe, and the Mandingo Warrior has never lost when bad ass Wolfe works his corner.

She gives him that drive and discipline that Kirkland sorely needs if he's to be successful.

Can Kirkland spring the upset under Wolfe's tough guidance?

Is the aging, battle worn Cotto looking past him---something quite dangerous when you've been rusting for 15 months and openly discussing post-boxing plans?

I think Kirkland has a great shot if he takes it to Cotto early, before the Puerto Rican can get his bearings and use his superior skills to gradually wear him down.

An old, over confidant fighter, who everyone expects to win, just may get shocked by a savage puncher who knows this is his last chance to join the sport's elite level.

In a slugfest, Kirkland in 3.

And I might actually buy the $50 PPV, even if "always exciting" Rigo is featured on the undercard.

If Kirkland still has anything he's capable of giving the smaller Cotto a hard time. Not sure if he does.

Kirkland isn't that great of a puncher. A respectable hitter, no doubt, but against solid opponents he's more of a grinder who wears opponents down with pressure than a KO artist who scrambles senses with single shots.

crusader wrote:Kirkland isn't that great of a puncher. A solid hitter, no doubt, but he's more of a grinder who wears opponents down with pressure than a KO artist who scrambles senses with single shots.

I agree, and we haven't seen the kind of fiery performance from him that it would take to beat a guy like Cotto in a long time.

Ya, he's going on 1 win in the last 5 years, and the win prior to that was the lackluster and questionable DQ against Molina. If Cotto still has close to the form he had against Canelo, I think he should win this comfortably.

Cotto will stop Kirkland. Whatever James says, he can't comfortably make 153.

If I find myself near a betting window then i'll roll the dice on Kirkland in an upset. If you only looked at the fights Kirkland fought with Wolfe in his corner, you'd have to call him elite and a terror. You can't do that, i understand. At the very least though, you'd have to agree that we will see a better version of Kirkland than we did against Canelo. He's a better fighter with her in the corner. I think that makes this a tougher fight to call.

This is it for Kirkland, his last chance. He knows that there is no other payday after this one. That's a dangerous situation for Cotto to be in there with such a powerful guy with his back against the wall who's back with his trainer in which they've never lost a fight together.

Kirkland TKO late (Cotto quits on stool and calls it a career)

Cotto chose Kirkland for a reason, and it's not because he was the best option. I'm a big Kirkland fan, but he has very little chance of winning this. Will be suprised if it lasts 12.

Kirkland is so undisciplined, he will again probably have to cut massive amounts of weight. Cotto, being the diva he is, demands a catchweight of 153? The guy is still pissed off about Pacquiao forcing him to make 145 and take a 25% split when he was the champ, or get stripped. (As was the pathetic threat at the time)

Basically this is a fight about two guys that are past their best, with one (Kirkland) never being that great in the first place. Someone mentioned he wears guys down? You have to have stamina for that, which Kirkland lacks. Cotto UD.

Is this really PPV ?

Badhusker wrote:Kirkland is so undisciplined, he will again probably have to cut massive amounts of weight. Cotto, being the diva he is, demands a catchweight of 153? The guy is still pissed off about Pacquiao forcing him to make 145 and take a 25% split when he was the champ, or get stripped. (As was the pathetic threat at the time)

Basically this is a fight about two guys that are past their best, with one (Kirkland) never being that great in the first place. Someone mentioned he wears guys down? You have to have stamina for that, which Kirkland lacks. Cotto UD.

Kirkland can be a force when he's in shape and has Wolfe on his ass day and night.

He knows it. That's why Kirkland brought her back for a career defining make or break bout.

No, he can't match the all-around skills Cotto has shown.

But the intangible remains---what does a 36-year-old, inactive Cotto with 45 tough bouts and 16 years of wear and tear---bring to the table in 2017?

He's a guy on the verge of retirement.

Yes, Cotto handpicked Kirkland, but sometimes that backfires.

When you're older, and just going through the motions, biding your time for a possible title fight, sometimes it's best not to face a puncher.

See Jimmy Ellis vs. Earnie Shavers, circa 1973.

Cotto has hired Kirkland to be his next patsy -

When Cotto tastes Kirkland's power, he'll quickly realize that he's nobody's patsy.

No idea what to expect from this fight. Cotto looked weak when he fought canelo. His punches barely made a dent. In comparison smith looked so much stronger but also his punches didn't do much. Cotto did though showcase good boxing skills and decent defence but that isn't his forte. If he tries boxing will Kirkland eventually find him and maul him and does he have any power left in his punches and legs to withstand it. I can't call this one.

Also this shouldn't be ppv.