50 Cent signs James Kirkland ahead of clash with Glen Tapia

By Peter Wells (twitter @boxingsaddler):

Kirkland (far right) joins with his new team

Inside the ring James Kirkland 31-1(27) has proved a nightmare for his opponents but outside of the ring he has been a nightmare unto himself. Short stints in prison and a reputation as a rebel have cost his career dear, but despite it all the Texas brawler still carries weight upon his name, Kirkland is still a feared fighter.

There's no surprise either, before he was served a one year sentence for possession of a fire-arm he had destroyed Brian Vera and Joel Julio in 8 and 6 rounds respectively. After he returned from prison he was soon brought down to earth when he was stunned in 1 round by Nobuhiro Ishida, there was little denying that his troubles with the law had a huge impact on the outcome of that fight in which Kirkland was expected to trounce through the Japanese fighter.

It wasn't long though before Kirkland had earned his reputation back and possibly enhanced it with a 6th round stoppage win against the equally tough Alfredo Angulo. Kirkland was almost stopped in the opening round but fought back well, applying a beat down on the Mexican from the 3rd round until the annihilation was halted.

Glen Tapia (centre) with Roach and Pacquiao has a growing reputation

A lucky disqualification win against current IBF Light Middleweight champion Carlos Molina was followed by yet another conviction for assault. Now back out of prison Kirkland has joined forces with one of music's most famous figures and another American who has turned his life around in order to reach where he is now. 50 Cent has taken Kirkland under his wing and will hope that his fighter can channel his rebellious nature in the gym and inside the ring.

Kirkland's first opponent under the SMS banner will be against the unbeaten rising star Glen Tapia 20-0(12) in a 10 round bout on the undercard of Guillermo Rigondeaux-Joseph Agbeko live on HBO in the USA.

Tapia himself has been making waves in recent fights, beating Abraham Han in 8 rounds sent out a statement that was followed by a recent 5th round destruction of Elco Garcia. Now the New Jersey fighter will be hoping to add the biggest name to his record thus far but will be fully aware beating a fully motivated Kirkland has not been accomplished yet.

Commenting on tactics would be rather pointless for this contest, both boxers will come to fight toe-to-toe, whoever has the biggest heart will win the fight. In the end it may come down to which Kirkland turns up. The same Kirkland that fought Ishida will likely be beaten to the punch on almost every occasion before Tapia can force a stoppage late in the contest. But if the Kirkland that demolished Angulo steps through the ropes on the 7th December then I expect him to be victorious by the halfway stage.