A Look Back at Former English Contender – Kirkland Laing

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By Tyler “The Miracle Man” White

At the age of just 17, he won the ABA featherweight championships (1972), before turning professional in 1975 and picking up the British title 4 years later. His unusual and unorthodox style made him exciting to watch, as did the unpredictability of his state of mind…

Born in Jamaica, on the 20th June 1954, Kirkland Laing moved to Nottingham and grew up there as a child, before relocating to Hackney in East London.

In an interview many years ago, Laing claimed that his mother had a bad accident when she was 9 months pregnant with him, which affected him physically and mentally, leaving him as he described in his own words as “handicapped”.

This accident may go part way to explain the internal conflict that Laing has gone on to face for his entire life, as well as the inability to fulfil his truest potential.

One look through Kirkland Laing’s boxing record shows you how up and down his career was…

The dramatic wins, followed by equally dramatic losses, the big names he faced, followed by extensive time spent away from the ring. Laing was definitely a fighter with potential and countless opportunities, however, by delving into his story a little deeper we find that despite all this, there was still something missing.

Throughout his first 5 years as a professional fighter, Laing was unbeaten, boasting a record of 18 wins and 1 draw. Along the way he’d picked up the highly regarded Lonsdale belt – the British Welterweight title.

The Jamaican born fighter, held this title until he met Welshman, Colin Jones, in their first fight and was knocked out by a devastating right hand.

After another 3 fights and almost exactly one year later, Laing fought Jones again in a bid to win back his British title, as well as the Commonwealth crown. But, Laing was once again devastated by Jones’ power and was knocked out in the 9th round once again, but this time with a left hook.

It was after this fight, that “The Gifted One”’s career began to become more and more unpredictable. Winning one fight and looking great in doing so, before losing the next to guys he should’ve been beating. However, the most famous night of his career came in 1982, when he fought Roberto Duran and surprised the Panamanian hero with a split decision victory.

It was after this fight, that Laing would disappear for a year, whilst Duran went on to make almost 3 million dollars – fighting Jimmy Batten, Pipino Cuevas and also winning the WBA title against Davey Moore.

Many people often think of what greatness could’ve awaited “The Gifted One”, if he had the mindset and discipline to dedicate himself to the sport after that famous night, in Detroit.

Just over a year later, Laing returned and was knocked out by American, Fred Hutchings, before returning to Britain after almost another years absence to win his next 3 contests.

Laing went on to win the British title on a few more occasions and fought for the European title. Failing the conquer Europe on his first attempt, but seizing the EBU title on his second try, before losing it 2 fights later.

As you can see, just from these fights alone, Kirkland Laing certainly had a very mixed career, with big highs and big lows. However, stepping aside from his life inside the ring, we must take a look at the man behind the punches and see what the real tragedy is, behind the story of one of Britain’s most unique contenders.

Laing was interviewed many years ago now, by Steve Bunce, a British boxing pundit and historian (you can find the interview on YouTube). In this interview, the former Champion blames the fact that he was “too immature” to deal with and handle the success that he had in boxing.

Not only could he not handle his ego, but also the fame and recognition that came with being a professional fighter and a champion.

In this same interview, Laing spoke of how he couldn’t balance training and partying. He would often party the night before his contests and wouldn’t put in the amount of training that he should’ve done. Luckily for him, he had natural skill and a natural power behind his punches, but as his career shows us, that is not enough to rely on in the fight game.

Not if you want to get to the very top…

Admittedly, Kirkland Laing had no discipline. Although he loved to fight, his heart wasn’t invested in the right places and instead of putting in the rounds in the gym, he’d spend most of his time pouring pints of beer down his gullet and smoking spliff’s.

Although it’s easy for the average boxing fan to sit back and say that Laing underachieved, we can not be certain of the mental battles he may have been facing throughout his life and his career.

There is usually a very good reason behind a person’s addictions as well as some underlying trauma. This, coupled with the fact that it took him 5 years to walk and that he was born “handicapped”, may indicate that Laing’s reason for not fulfilling his true potential was legitimate and although disappointing, understandable.

Whatever one thinks of Kirkland Laing, there is no denying that the man possessed a lot of skill, concussive punching power and a truly memorable boxing style. Fighting with his hands below his waist, he gave the crowds the entertainment they desired and established a reputation for himself as a very unique man and contender.

The question that will always remain is …

How good could he have been and how far could he have gone, if he had the discipline and dedication of a true champion, like his hero, Muhammad Ali?

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