In March, 2006 Mike Swann sat down with Kirkland and gives us a look at Kirland's personal and professional life.

FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL
By Michael Swann

James Kirkland, a 22 year old southpaw from Austin, Texas, with a record of 11-0, with 9 KO’s, is more than just an exciting prospect in the 154 and 160 pound divisions. He has developed into a real man.

Kirkland’s pro career began in 2001 at the age of 17, but he has essentially been fighting since birth - fighting a life of poverty, the streets, temptation, and desperation. Like so many others, James sees his athletic talent as a means to improve his life, and that of his family.

“I just want to make it so my people like my mom don’t have to suffer no more,” he says. “I’m just trying to take care of business for my family.”

Kirkland, who never knew his father, candidly recalls the poverty of his youth.

“My mom was shopping pantry food, [food and essentials provided free by charities to the neediest citizens.] Oh man, we were on it all, food stamps and all that.”

After an auspicious start, the undefeated sensation came across two major road blocks in his career after he picked up his 11th straight victory in November, 2003, his last fight.  Influenced by life on the streets, he participated in criminal behavior that resulted in his receiving six months of county time and six months house arrest.

“I was with the wrong crowd and already had a bad record,” James reflected contritely. “I couldn’t get a job and I was trying to get some money.”

Upon his release, Kirkland found that he was also beset with management/promotional problems.

“My old manager took his time and money and put it on [another fighter],” James explained. “I wanted to get out of the contract for a long time. Really, I was going to wait it out, because legally I didn’t know what I could do and not do.”

 Then attorney Michael Miller, now his co-manager along with Cameron Dunkin, negotiated a buyout of Kirkland’s contract with his previous management, and James was free to concentrate on boxing. Recently, promoter Gary Shaw signed the prospect to an exclusive promotional agreement.

Kirkland was thrilled to be in the Shaw stable:

“Yeah, they say that Gary’s a good man. He tries to make you do what you should do. I’m looking forward to fighting whoever’s at the top right now. I know my potential. I’ve been with the wrong person, [his former manager], and I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”    

James says that his fighting weight for now is going to be 160, but he might eventually go to 154, as he gets back to top fighting condition.

“Oh man, I’m getting in good shape,” James said. “I train real hard. You’ll see with my first fight - they’re probably not going to last more than 30-40 seconds of the first round.”

Kirkland’s biggest problem now is finding sparring partners. Though he is still based in Austin, he has traveled to San Antonio and Houston, anywhere to get some good work.

“I’ve been training basically anywhere I can get some sparring,” James said, describing his dilemma. “I haven’t been getting sparring people because I pay people to spar, but I’ve been running them off.

“I’ve got more power than anyone in my weight class. I have to spar with guys at 190, 200.

“There was this dude who was 15-0, supposed to be real good. I sparred with him and they almost stopped it. When I called back, they said ‘no way!’”

Kirkland’s new team has fights tentatively planned for him in April, May, and June. Kirkland is being trained by Don “Pops” Billingsley, a man who has been a father figure to the prospect who never had a dad for almost all of his life, and also Ann Wolfe, one of the premiere female fighters in the game.

In addition to James’ mother, Paula, he has two brothers, Marcus McArthur, 23, and Gerald Stevens, 12. He also has a new baby boy with his girlfriend, Vanessa. Kirkland sends his struggling mom half of his money to help with the bills.

“My two ladies don’t have anything, my boxing coach, [Billingsley], don’t have anything, so I have to take care of them,” James says in a determined voice. “And I have stuff to get for my little boy. I call that mandatory.”

With the added responsibilities and acquired maturity, James Kirkland, who is called “Mandingo” by his friends, is well on his way to becoming a success in life as well as in the ring. He speaks sincerely and respectfully, makes no excuses, has a strong work ethic, and is highly motivated to improve the lives of his family.

A lot of stuff is going my way now,” he says, with typical optimism.