James Kirkland vs. Juan Macias Montiel: how to watch, start time.
Former junior middleweight contender James Kirkland (34-2, 30 KOs) continues his comeback Saturday night on FOX.
Kirkland (34-2, 30 KOs) is scheduled to face Juan Macias Montiel (21-4-2, 21 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout on the David Morrell-Mike Gavronski card in Los Angeles.
The card starts at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with the main event due to begin about an hour into the show. You can watch it on on FOX (the network’s main channel).
Kirkland, who left boxing for four years after he was knocked out in three rounds by Canelo Alvarez in 2015, is 2-0 in a comeback that began last year. The 36-year-old lives and trains in San Antonio.
Montiel (21-4-2, 21 KOs) is a big puncher from Los Mochis, Mexico. He’s coming off a split draw with Hugo Centeno Jr. in December of last year.
Morrell, 22, has had only three pro fights (3-0, 2 KOs) but already is an “interim” titleholder and has his sights set on a legitimate world title shot. Gavronski (26-3-1, 16 KOs) is a 34-year-old from Lockport, Ill., who has won two fights since he was stopped in three rounds by Jesse Hart in 2018.
Morrell and Gavronski will be fighting for what the WBA calls its “regular” world title, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize. Alvarez is the WBA champ.
When: Saturday, Dec. 26
Start time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Where: Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles
James Kirkland vs. Juan Macias Montiel: how to watch, start time.
Former junior middleweight contender James Kirkland (34-2, 30 KOs) continues his comeback Saturday night on FOX.
Kirkland (34-2, 30 KOs) is scheduled to face Juan Macias Montiel (21-4-2, 21 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout on the David Morrell-Mike Gavronski card in Los Angeles.
The card starts at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with the main event due to begin about an hour into the show. You can watch it on on FOX (the network’s main channel).
Kirkland, who left boxing for four years after he was knocked out in three rounds by Canelo Alvarez in 2015, is 2-0 in a comeback that began last year. The 36-year-old lives and trains in San Antonio.
Montiel (21-4-2, 21 KOs) is a big puncher from Los Mochis, Mexico. He’s coming off a split draw with Hugo Centeno Jr. in December of last year.
Morrell, 22, has had only three pro fights (3-0, 2 KOs) but already is an “interim” titleholder and has his sights set on a legitimate world title shot. Gavronski (26-3-1, 16 KOs) is a 34-year-old from Lockport, Ill., who has won two fights since he was stopped in three rounds by Jesse Hart in 2018.
Morrell and Gavronski will be fighting for what the WBA calls its “regular” world title, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize. Alvarez is the WBA champ.
When: Saturday, Dec. 26
Start time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Where: Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles
What time is David Morrell vs. Mike Gavronski on FOX?
Fast-rising young Cuban David Morrell will face veteran Mike Gavronski in a scheduled 12-round super middleweight fight Saturday evening in Los Angeles.
The card starts at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with the main event due to start about an hour into the show. You can watch it on on FOX (the network’s main channel).
Morrell, 22, has had only three pro fights (3-0, 2 KOs) but already is an “interim” titleholder and has his sights set on a legitimate world title shot. Gavronski (26-3-1, 16 KOs) is a 34-year-old from Lockport, Ill., who has won two fights since he was stopped in three rounds by Jesse Hart in 2018.
They will be fighting for what the WBA calls its “regular” world title, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize. Canelo Alvarez is the WBA champ.
Former junior middleweight contender James Kirkland (34-2, 30 KOs) continues his comeback on the undercard. He’ll face Juan Macias Montiel (21-4-2, 21 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout.
When: Saturday, Dec. 26
Start time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Where: Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles
What time is David Morrell vs. Mike Gavronski on FOX?
Fast-rising young Cuban David Morrell will face veteran Mike Gavronski in a scheduled 12-round super middleweight fight Saturday evening in Los Angeles.
The card starts at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with the main event due to start about an hour into the show. You can watch it on on FOX (the network’s main channel).
Morrell, 22, has had only three pro fights (3-0, 2 KOs) but already is an “interim” titleholder and has his sights set on a legitimate world title shot. Gavronski (26-3-1, 16 KOs) is a 34-year-old from Lockport, Ill., who has won two fights since he was stopped in three rounds by Jesse Hart in 2018.
They will be fighting for what the WBA calls its “regular” world title, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize. Canelo Alvarez is the WBA champ.
Former junior middleweight contender James Kirkland (34-2, 30 KOs) continues his comeback on the undercard. He’ll face Juan Macias Montiel (21-4-2, 21 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout.
When: Saturday, Dec. 26
Start time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Where: Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles
James Kirkland is in a good place emotionally as he prepares for the third fight in his comeback.
James Kirkland was asked recently about his up-and-down journey and could only laugh. “It feels like I’ve been in and out of jail all my life,” he told Boxing Junkie.
In fact, that’s true. A variety of convictions and parole violations have led him in and out of prison much of his adult life. In between those stints, he managed to squeeze an intriguing boxing career. That, too, has been up and down.
Kirkland, who faces Juan Macias Montiel in the next fight of his comeback Saturday in Los Angeles, is known primarily for his wildly entertaining aggression and brutal knockout losses to Nobuhiro Ishida and Canelo Alvarez.
The latter put Kirkland down three times before stopping him with a right hand from hell in Round 3, perhaps the most spectacular knockout of Alvarez’s career.
Kirkland (34-2, 30 KOs) stepped away from boxing for more than four years after the fight, not because he had to but because he wanted to get his life in order so he could better care for his family.
Canelo Alvarez (left) stopped James Kirkland in three unforgettable rounds on May 9, 2015 in Houston. Scott Halleran / Getty Images
The native of Austin, Texas, used the money he earned in the Alvarez fight and those that preceded it to buy a house in San Antonio, away from bad habits in his hometown. He went into real estate and dabbled in other enterprises. And, in the end, he was satisfied that things were stable.
He never intended to walk away from boxing permanently. And last year he made the decision to return. He went 2-0 against journeyman opponents.
“I just decided that the days of my life could be spent in a more positive way,” he said. “… I was happy. My kids were happy. I said to myself, ‘You know what? Let’s get back in there.’”
Kirkland, now 36, never left boxing entirely. He built a gym in his home, where he says he trained regularly – including sparring sessions – and never allowed himself to get out of shape.
Watch the video of his most-recent fight, a second-round knockout of Jas Phipps in November of last year at the Alamodome. He looked fit and energetic, much like the fighter who knocked out one opponent after another a decade ago.
[lawrence-related id=16703,16680]
He’s still aggressive – that’s who he is – but he says he has changed to some degree in that regard. No more reckless aggression, no more taking unnecessary shots to land one of his own.
“I’ve learned,” he said. “I’ve gone back and watched some of my fights and I saw so many flaws, whether that was not keeping my hands up, throwing punches before putting my feet in position. Some of things I did were just awkward.
“… I realize now what I did right and what I did wrong. I’ve been able to dissect things, work on my craft, focus on my movement, just being alert.”
Gone, too, is trainer Ann Wolfe, who was in his corner for most of his successes and seemingly indispensable for him. However, the Kirkland of today seems to be doing fine without her.
He isn’t looking too far ahead in his comeback, only revealing that he’ll probably settle into the 160-pound division after fighting most of his career at 154. His body, he says, has evolved.
Other than that, he said he’s taking things one step at a time. The next step is Montiel (21-4-2, 21 KOs) on a card featuring a super middleweight fight between David Morrell and Mike Gavronski. Montiel is a 26-year-old Mexican with punching power comparable to that of Kirkland, which should make for an interesting fight.
The “Mandingo Warrior” is excited.
“Yeah, one step at a time,” he said. “My only goal is to kick ass on the 26th.”
James Kirkland is in a good place emotionally as he prepares for the third fight in his comeback.
James Kirkland was asked recently about his up-and-down journey and could only laugh. “It feels like I’ve been in and out of jail all my life,” he told Boxing Junkie.
In fact, that’s true. A variety of convictions and parole violations have led him in and out of prison much of his adult life. In between those stints, he managed to squeeze an intriguing boxing career. That, too, has been up and down.
Kirkland, who faces Juan Macias Montiel in the next fight of his comeback Saturday in Los Angeles, is known primarily for his wildly entertaining aggression and brutal knockout losses to Nobuhiro Ishida and Canelo Alvarez.
The latter put Kirkland down three times before stopping him with a right hand from hell in Round 3, perhaps the most spectacular knockout of Alvarez’s career.
Kirkland (34-2, 30 KOs) stepped away from boxing for more than four years after the fight, not because he had to but because he wanted to get his life in order so he could better care for his family.
Canelo Alvarez (left) stopped James Kirkland in three unforgettable rounds on May 9, 2015 in Houston. Scott Halleran / Getty Images
The native of Austin, Texas, used the money he earned in the Alvarez fight and those that preceded it to buy a house in San Antonio, away from bad habits in his hometown. He went into real estate and dabbled in other enterprises. And, in the end, he was satisfied that things were stable.
He never intended to walk away from boxing permanently. And last year he made the decision to return. He went 2-0 against journeyman opponents.
“I just decided that the days of my life could be spent in a more positive way,” he said. “… I was happy. My kids were happy. I said to myself, ‘You know what? Let’s get back in there.’”
Kirkland, now 36, never left boxing entirely. He built a gym in his home, where he says he trained regularly – including sparring sessions – and never allowed himself to get out of shape.
Watch the video of his most-recent fight, a second-round knockout of Jas Phipps in November of last year at the Alamodome. He looked fit and energetic, much like the fighter who knocked out one opponent after another a decade ago.
[lawrence-related id=16703,16680]
He’s still aggressive – that’s who he is – but he says he has changed to some degree in that regard. No more reckless aggression, no more taking unnecessary shots to land one of his own.
“I’ve learned,” he said. “I’ve gone back and watched some of my fights and I saw so many flaws, whether that was not keeping my hands up, throwing punches before putting my feet in position. Some of things I did were just awkward.
“… I realize now what I did right and what I did wrong. I’ve been able to dissect things, work on my craft, focus on my movement, just being alert.”
Gone, too, is trainer Ann Wolfe, who was in his corner for most of his successes and seemingly indispensable for him. However, the Kirkland of today seems to be doing fine without her.
He isn’t looking too far ahead in his comeback, only revealing that he’ll probably settle into the 160-pound division after fighting most of his career at 154. His body, he says, has evolved.
Other than that, he said he’s taking things one step at a time. The next step is Montiel (21-4-2, 21 KOs) on a card featuring a super middleweight fight between David Morrell and Mike Gavronski. Montiel is a 26-year-old Mexican with punching power comparable to that of Kirkland, which should make for an interesting fight.
The “Mandingo Warrior” is excited.
“Yeah, one step at a time,” he said. “My only goal is to kick ass on the 26th.”
Hall of Famer Ray Leonard explains what makes Canelo Alvarez great in the DAZN video feature “12 Rounds with Sugar Ray Leonard.”
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Great fighters know what it takes to reach great heights.
That’s why the streaming service DAZN enlisted legendary Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard to take part in a video feature titled “12 Rounds with Sugar Ray Leonard.”
In each episode, the former four-division champion focuses on a top active fighter and identifies the 12 rounds from a variety of fights that made him what he is today.
The subject today: Canelo Alvarez.
“There is no arguing that Canelo Alvarez is among the best fighters of his generation,” Leonard said in the video. “And I think these 12 rounds define his greatness.”
California has canceled all combat sports cards until at least the end of March as a result of the coronavirus threat.
The growing coronavirus threat continues to force cancellations and postponements, including boxing in California throughout at least the end of March.
The California State Athletic Commission told all the state’s promoters that boxing and mixed martial arts cards have been banned through March 31 because of the virus, also called COVID-19.
“This morning, we were informed by the California State Athletic Commission that all combative sports events have been canceled for the month of March due to concerns regarding COVID-19,” Golden Boy Promotion Chairman Oscar De La Hoya said in a statement. “Therefore, our March 19 and March 28 events at Avalon Hollywood and the Forum, respectively, have officially been postponed.
“We will work with state and local officials as well as our venue and broadcast partners to determine the best course of action with respect to these and other upcoming events, both in California and elsewhere.”
“The health and safety of our fighters, fans, employees, officials and partners is of the utmost importance to us, and we thank them for their support and understanding during this time. We will communicate further plans when the time is appropriate.”
Golden Boy welterweight prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. was scheduled to face Samuel Vargas on March 28 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Golden Boy also had scheduled a card for March 19 at the Avalon Hollywood club featuring featherweight Joet Gonzalez against Chris Avalos.
It wasn’t clear Thursday when either would be re-scheduled. According to the statement, people who already purchased tickets, at the box office or on line, can get refunds.
The decision to ban boxing and MMA for the rest of the month was based on a directive from California Governor Gavin Newsom. In a statement, the CSAC said:
“Based on guidance issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to protect Californians against the possible spread of COVID-19, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) is canceling all events through March 31. CSAC will use this period to determine the next steps for moving forward with future events.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued guidance that certain types of gatherings be postponed or canceled in March to protect public health and slow the rate of COVID-19 transmission. The recommendation applies to all nonessential professional, social, and community gatherings.”
At least two other cards were scheduled for March in California. A six-rounder between middleweights Quillisto Madera and Alexis Gaytan was scheduled for March 21 in Stockton. A Tom Loeffler-promoted card featuring Brian Ceballo vs. Brian Jones was scheduled for March 29 at The Avalon.
Across the country, a card featuring James Kirkland vs. Marcos Hernandez scheduled for Saturday in Maryland also was postponed because of the virus threat.
“In the interest of public health and after reviewing the current information on COVID-19, we have decided the best course of action is to postpone Saturday’s event,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “We understand how disappointing this is to boxing fans and regret any inconvenience.”
Marcos Hernandez believes a victory over James Kirkland on Saturday will catapult him toward a shot at a title.
Marcos Hernandez knows a good opportunity when he sees one.
“Madman” has lost two of his last three fights – a ninth-round TKO against Jeison Rosario and unanimous decision against Kevin Newman II – but he believes he has what takes to be a contender. He’ll have a chance to demonstrate that when he faces James Kirkland in a 10-round middleweight bout Saturday in Oxon Hill, Maryland on Fox Sports 1.
“I’ve had a great camp and for the first time in my career I’ve added a strength and conditioning coach,” Hernandez said. “I’m constantly in the gym with [trainer] Henry Ramirez working hard every single day. I was super focused going into this camp, since I know this is a major opportunity to get me back in line for a world title shot. I know I have to take this seriously.
“Some people may have doubted me based on past fights, but that is only fueling my motivation. I miss my family a lot, but I know to be great, I have to do what it takes to go to the next level.”
Hernandez (14-3-1, 3 KOs) has faced mostly second-tier opposition but does have two fights against Rosario, who stopped Julian Williams to win a junior middleweight title in January.
The first meeting, a six-round middleweight fight, ended in a split draw. That might provide a hint of what the product of Fresno, California is capable of.
Hernandez, also known as Mark Anthony Hernandez, respects the punching power of the 35-year-old Kirkland (34-2, 30 KOs) but he believes he’s the more complete fighter.
“James Kirkland is a notorious fighter known for his power, but his time has come and gone,” Hernandez said. “This is a great opportunity for me since Kirkland is a popular fighter. And when I beat him, people will take notice.
“I watched Kirkland growing up and I have studied his mistakes. Kirkland only has one style, but I have many. This will be a great fight for the fans because both of us have our backs against the wall and must win.”
And if Hernandez wins?
“When I win, I want to get back in there with unified champion Jeison Rosario,” said Hernandez. “I have fought Rosario twice already, and the first time was a draw. I have unfinished business with him. I need to make a big statement and have a highlight-reel performance this Saturday night.
“I believe I can fight him this year. The fight would be a trilogy, and who doesn’t like trilogies in boxing?”
James Kirkland makes his 2020 debut against Marcos Hernandez on March 14 at the MGM Grand National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Mercurial brawler James Kirkland will headline a Premier Boxing Champions card March 14 at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, according to a release. The bout will be televised on Fox Sports 1.
Kirkland’s opponent is Marcos Hernandez of Fresno, California.
“I’m very excited to make the most of this opportunity,” Kirkland (34-2, 30 KOs) said. “… It’s truly a blessing to be back in the mix. I’m training hard and perfecting my craft like always. Look for me to bring fireworks on March 14.”
Kirkland seemed to have retired from the sport after his devastating knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez in 2015. The San Antonio native returned to the ring last year and collected two stoppage wins against overmatched journeymen.
Kirkland made his name on HBO as a highlight-reel brawler. He has also made headlines for the wrong reasons, including an assault charge in 2013 and for his contentious, on-and-off relationship with longtime trainer Ann Wolfe.
Hernandez (14-3-1, 3 KOs) is coming off a decision loss to Kevin Newman II in November.
On the undercard, undefeated prospect Eimantas Stanionis (10-0, 7 KOs) will face Justin DeLoach (18-4, 9 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight bout. Stanionis is a 2016 Olympian from Lithuania.
