Kirkland Laing: Reaching the Highest of Highs to Hitting the Lowest of Lows
By Anne “Boxologist” Whitlock
Boxing has a number of sad tales and Kirkland Laing is no different, a fantastic rawcore fighter left penniless and living on the streets.
Laing fought 56 times in a twenty-year career, the highlight of which was a shock split decision win over Roberto Duran in September 1982. The fight was selected as Ring Magazine’s Upset of the Year. He was a two-time winner of the British welterweight title and won the EBU welterweight title in 1990, with a second round knockout of Antoine Fernandez at the Wembley Conference Centre.
Laing’s boxing career was sporadic, as he often failed to deliver on his promise, appearing under-prepared against less able fighters and indulging in drink, drugs and women. In the year following his victory over Duran, Laing went missing, blowing his earnings. In that same period Duran was to fight four times, earning an estimated $6 million.
Laing continued to fight until he was 40, and retired after a stoppage loss to future world champion Glen Catley. After retiring, Laing continued to live in Hackney, and fell from his balcony in 2003 in circumstances that remain unexplained. Shortly after, a BBC Documentary by Steve Bunce (made before the fall) was aired. The short film showed Laing to be living life on the streets, although others who know him questioned the piece’s accuracy.
In 2009, Oliver Jarrat released the book “The Gifted One” Kirkland Laing Through the Eyes of Others, a detailed account of Laing’s life and career which took the author six years to research and complete. The book contains many insights from people who were close to the fighter including former managers, trainers and opponents he faced at both amateur and professional level.
Boxing’s past is shadowed with many sad stories of fallen fighter’s left without anything but the clothes on their backs.
We need a shake up for all fighter’s past and future to have a safety net of after care and support to prevent further sadness to the great fighters that get lost along life’s journey after their boxing career’s end.
