I don't get how James Kirkland is such a big favorite against Joel Julio. Sure he's got great power but his defense is weak and he can be hit, he just hasn't fought the right people. Julio has 2 losses on his record but he's still 25, and lost to two slick boxers for championships. Kirkland is anything but a slick boxer and comes forward at you.
I actually rate Julio the better fighter at this point of his career because he has better overall skills - his managerial missteps, taking very tricky fights against slick southpaws basically - have made people dismiss him against the greatly hyped Kirkland. Julio has the experience and the defensive skills (If you've seen his Ishe Smith fight you'll know how much he's improved) to blunt Kirkland's mostly careless overwhelming attacks.
Julio is going to take this fight and derail the Kirkland express. I see him at +260 in some places, and this is a monumental error. It should be at least even.
I actually rate Julio the better fighter at this point of his career because he has better overall skills - his managerial missteps, taking very tricky fights against slick southpaws basically - have made people dismiss him against the greatly hyped Kirkland. Julio has the experience and the defensive skills (If you've seen his Ishe Smith fight you'll know how much he's improved) to blunt Kirkland's mostly careless overwhelming attacks.
Julio is going to take this fight and derail the Kirkland express. I see him at +260 in some places, and this is a monumental error. It should be at least even.