Profile of Kirkland Laing one of the most underated British Boxers. Who sadly had a lot of social problems. One of a few men who have beaten Roberto Duran. But never reached his trure potential
@@TextBookPuncher1 I more or less called him a lazy good for nothing loafer in a few boxing vids. I later found out that he was born with a disability in his ankles and feet,and under developed legs. He sustained these injuries before he was even born when his pregnant mother had a road accident on a bicycle. As he matured his upper body developed naturally and he became top heavy taking his centre of gravity higher. It’s the reason why he was comfortable having his hands by his side when he boxed because it brought his C of G lower and helped his balance and he could move around the ring better. I totally mistook his style for being lazy, ignorant, and arrogant. But in fact it’s the style that worked perfectly for him when all the physics and biomechanics are considered.
If Kirkland could have defeated the temptation to go out and party instead of training he would have been 1 of boxings all time greats. Colin Hart knew about boxing and he said Laing was the most naturally gifted fighter he ever seen.
Watched Kirk when I was Young man at Wembley Arena, amazed by his agility and footwork, way ahead of his time and arguably the greatest British fighter never to win a world title.
i was at senior School with Kirkland, Paul and their sister Susan, it was Elliott Durham School in Nottingham, and moved down to London later after leaving school, they also had an elder Brother called Prince and he was some fighter too, but nicer people you could never meet.
If i wasn't for Kirk i would have never got inside the ring. He inspired me and so many. He had a true gift and talent. A real people's man. RIP champ!!
I had a brother like this. So gifted, popular. Chose no home. Liked to wake up when ever he wanted. No work. Responsibility. Died two years ago. In heaven I'm sure.
I lived across from Joe Ryan his coach. I loved when Kirk would show me his Gowns in his wardrobe. Red, Gold, Green. Expensive full length satin robes. Velvet Robes too. I hate what Hackney Downs did to him. We'd sit down and talk boxing as my dad was heavy weight back in the day so me and Kirk we could reason. I never knew he was born 'Batheny' (Handicapped). I liked seeing him vibrant and on the ball. I recognised Joe Ryan's voice before I saw him Lol. I miss Hackney ⚡🔥⚡🔥 He's with Harry Carpenter now R.I.E.P
Hardly made the news, Kirk's passing. A disgrace really. Kirk's win over Duran was easily the best performance overseas by a British fighter but has basically been forgotten.
Very true people scoff they say Duran was in bad shape but that was Duran's fault and Kirkland said in this video that he was not fit...but he beat him with good boxing, ....and hurt him!
A mans biggest enemy is his own mind. Whatever life offers, the tragedy or happiness, the success or the defeats, its imperitive that a human being ensures that his own mind is at peace, spiritually and psychologically. Other wise, once you are seen as a weak person, there isn't a lack of those who are ready to use and abuse you until you've evaporated into the dust.
ESBC BOXING GAME WILL HAVE HIM BE A PRIME CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTER BECAUSE HE IS (THE GIFTED ONE) EVERY ADVERSARY WILL KNOW HIS NAME REST IN JAH JAH KINGDOM!!!
This is so sad!! Kirk was so talented with so much potential. But he was a tormented soul who just couldn’t settle his mind into long term discipline. What a shame to waste such talent and opportunity. 😭😢☹️ RIP Champ… you don’t need to fight those demons anymore.
+peter thompson He beat Duran on points and was slated for it..as they said Duran was not fit..BUT you can only beat who is in front of you and that was Durans fault as Laing was a very good boxer...as Duran found out..too late
A wasted opportunity. Beat Duran fair and square then went on the razz for 12 months. So much potential...... We'll never know what he might have done.
@@kayachan5198Dear Kaya pleas accept my heartfelt apologies i was confused with covid and had brain fog when i made my comment 4 years ago and apologise i made a typo without realising it could cause offencor revisting this page in 4 years to correct it. I meant kirklaind laing but accidentally typed Harry as it was the middle of the night and i confused 2 icons. My deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved father. A more handsome charasmatic and talented British fighter I never saw. Your dad and mum were a very good looking loving couple and this is a beautiful priceless film...of the London we all grew up in...your father was just a heroic swashbuckling kind gentle soul. I lost my father last year. God bless you
@@VVsFunWorldim sorry i only come back here 4 years later and saw in my brain fogged covid ridden 3am mind 4 years ago i typed harry carpenter when i meant to type Kirklaind Laing. My deepest condolences on the passing of brother Kirklaind to you and all your family. A beautiful kind softly spoken gentleman and a legendary British boxer who style and skills have never been seen in Britain since he left the ring. This is a beautiful classy portrait of Kirk and Paula. Many apologies again for my typo
@WIMIRANDA I partly agree with you, he did say Duran was not in good shape for the fight, but he used the right tactics and the end of the day you can only beat what they put in front of you, its not his fault that duran was not on top fitness that was durans fault. But yes Duran is a standout champion Kirkland would admit that, and does I think, he said he was shaking! lol
In a way you've got to put Kirkland Laing down as wasted talent; you've got to marvel at his boxing skills, but his lack of discipline cost him badly in (not) picking up a world title. Anyone who can beat Duran is a special fighter, and Laing was certainly that - he had the skills of Sugar Ray Leonard (well almost) - who lost, won, and won against Duran. RIP Kirk and thanks for leaving behind such good boxing memories. Thanks for uploading this video of the people's champ.
hey, i train with his brother tony, he told me kerks doing very well, hes gone through rehab and is living with his sister know. and tony, yh hes in really good shape.
@DavidUKesb Yes I think everyone would agree with you, but at the same time he was very underrated both here in UK and overseas. Maybe thats why he did not fullfill? Other lesser boxers have had so much hype and when coming up against quality opponents have often failed.
Glad you mentioned that as I am certain I heard he had passed away but cannot find anything on the net about it, so I will remove that quote till I am sure.
Is be stoned In most of thjs? What is t about him boxing? The reflexes? The distance perception? The footwork? He is very unorthodox. Good to watch. He definitely forgot that Italian word before he left the shop. 😃
Yes that was my fault as I heard from somewhere he had passed away, but now that is not true, I have removed that from my description, so just to clear that point up, thanks for the comment, and to all others who have commented here.
hey chisacat..he didnt dominate Duran..he ran the whole fight and Duran was not in shape...it was obvious Laing was scared and avoided mixing it up with Duran...ddespite that fight, Laing doesn't belong in the same sentence as Duran
your observation for what it's worth. IMHO Duran was pummeled by Laing. Duran never produced a single combination in that fight, and occasionally tried to turn it into a brawl, at which he hopelessly failed.
@@1man1bike1road he beat Duran fair and square. He dodged for the first couple of rounds, then outboxed Duran for the rest of the fight. The judges called it very close, IMO he won clearly.
