Another potential fight of the year, again at welterweight: James Kirkland v Alfredo Angulo

And this one comes with a good backstory too.

The below comes from the excellent Bloody Elbow site:

Kirkland was a rising star on the American boxing scene, compiling a 25-0 record with only three men making it to the judges scorecards. In 2003 he lost over two years of his career thanks to an armed robbery conviction. After getting back to business and rattling off win after win, Kirkland made the disastrous decision to purchase a handgun which would be discovered in his car during a routine traffic stop. The violation of his probation meant another trip to jail and more time out of the ring.

Kirkland’s mentor and trainer was one of the best female boxers to ever step into the ring, Ann Wolfe. During his time in jail the two had a falling out, meaning Kirkland came out to resume his career and was moved to Las Vegas to train under Kenny Adams. Adams is a perfectly capable and talented trainer, but it was clear that Kirkland under Adams was a different, and not better, fighter.

After the Ishida loss it was time for Kirkland to get back to Ann Wolfe and her unique form of guidance.

“I went and got some rough, tough sparring partners and I made him fight.” – Ann Wolfe

Wolfe is a no-nonsense trainer. A woman who pushes Kirkland to be the best he can be and gives him no shelter from hard work. Her job is not to coddle, but to better.

As Angulo unleashed his flurry on a still shaken Kirkland, James’ back against the ropes and power shots landing to his face and body, it was seemingly Ann Wolfe’s training that kept him upright. She prepared James for this, you don’t fight Angulo without getting hurt. Wolfe had pushed James through hell, she showed him the path and now he had to remember how to walk it.

And here’s an excellent piece about Wolfe herself.

Anyway, fight video here – but avert your eyes until you’ve scrolled down, as it handily announces the outcome above it.