James Kirkland Wanting $2.5 Million to Fight Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez Is Outlandish

Just a day after pulling out if his proposed fight against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, James Kirkland has now said he would still take the "Canelo" fight if he was paid a whopping $2.5 million according to The Ring Magazine.

First off, Kirkland re-injured his right shoulder during his first workout since coming off surgery on that shoulder and obviously isn't anywhere near fighting shape. Kirkland (30-1-1, 27 KOs) now has said he will be able to fight in October or November which means he would want the Alvarez (40-0-1, 29 KOs) bout to moved from its planned September 15 fight date as well, which we all know Golden Boy Promotions will not do.

Kirkland told The Ring Magazine:

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It was six figures. And that was an insult, and I'm being honest, said Kirkland, who confirmed he requested at least $2.5 million. That was one thing that I said. But they could work it to $2 million.

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With Kirkland claiming he was offered a six figure payday for the Alvarez fight initially, why in the world would "Canelo" and his camp agree to give Kirkland a bigger payday now, especially after saying he would be fighting at less than 100 percent.

Kirkland explained to The Ring Magazine:

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If I'm going to take a fight like this, and I've got one arm, and it takes time to rehabilitate and to train, then pay me for that. I would do that, but pay me for it. If my career is over with after this fight, I want to make sure that I don't walk away with nothing.

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So, basically, Kirkland wants a huge payday to be a sparring partner for Alvarez with one good arm, that really wouldn't be much of a fight, as "Canelo" would have no problem beating Kirkland with one good arm.

If Kirkland wants to make a seven-figure payday, then he should first get his shoulder healthy before trying to sign any fight. Then he must take on a top junior middleweight in the division to prove he is still the same fighter after the surgery.

Then, and only then, should Kirkland begin to negotiate a new fight with Alvarez and try to land the biggest payday of his career, not when he is half the fighter he can be, fresh off a major surgery.