Middleweight Kirkland eager to make up for lost ring time

James Kirkland admits he should have known better.

But after someone broke into his home in Austin, Texas, he thought his family needed protection. The middleweight didn't care that, as a convicted felon, he was not legally allowed to carry a gun.

Kirkland's budding boxing career nearly came to an abrupt end in the spring of 2009 when police searched his car after a traffic stop and found a loaded .40-caliber Glock pistol.

Kirkland had served two years in jail for armed robbery in 2003 and was now facing four to six years in prison for the gun possession charge. But a sympathetic judge sentenced Kirkland to two years, and he was ultimately released after 18 months.

Kirkland, 27, is trying to get back on a fast track for a world title shot. He faces former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida in an eight-round bout Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden on the undercard of the junior welterweight main event between Erik Morales and Marcos Maidana.

"I can't change the past," Kirkland said. "All I can do is move forward."

Kirkland (27-0, 24 knockouts) has made several changes. He now works out with veteran trainer Kenny Adams in Las Vegas, where there are no family or friends to distract him.

Kirkland is staying active, too. Saturday will be his third fight in 34 days.

He knocked out Ashandi Gibbs on March 5 in the first round in his first ring appearance since beating Bryan Vera on Nov. 22, 2008. Two weeks later, Kirkland stopped Jhon Berrio in the second round.

"If I could, I'd fight every day," Kirkland said. "I've got to make up for a lot of lost time."

When Kirkland was arrested in April 2009, he was preparing to fight Michael Walker on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout at the MGM Grand. A win would have been a major step toward a coveted title shot.

Instead, he was back behind bars. Kirkland kept training while incarcerated and avoided further trouble.

"I never lost faith," Kirkland said. "I did a stupid thing and I paid a big price for it. But I always believed God had a plan for me."

Adams said Kirkland's willingness to listen and work hard will get him back in the hunt for a title shot.

"When I first got him, I didn't know what to expect because he'd been away so long," Adams said. "But he's a quick learner, and he's willing to take on new things. He wants it so bad."

One thing Adams and Kirkland have worked on is Kirkland's balance. A devastating puncher, Kirkland sometimes leaves himself open to counterpunches because he swings so hard.

"I can definitely see the difference," Kirkland said. "I still have power behind my shots, but my defense is better. I'm not going to get hit as much."

Kirkland co-manager Cameron Dunkin said Saturday's fight against Ishida (22-6-2, 7 KOs) is an important step.

"When he was arrested back in 2009, I was worried he wouldn't fight again because I wasn't sure how the legal issues would play out," Dunkin said. "Had he gotten five, 10 years, then it's over. But he got out in 18 months.

"He's only 27. He's got a lot of good years left. Time's on his side. It's turned out terrific to have him in Vegas training with Kenny. As long as he continues to make progress, he'll get his shot at a title."

That's all Kirkland wants.

"When I was in prison, that's what kept me going," he said. "It's made me work that much harder, knowing what was taken away from me. I appreciate everything so much more now. I'm never going back to that other life again."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.