James Kirkland the undefeated boxer who went to jail after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm, will soon be out of jail and should be a freeman as early as October 2010. Kirkland’s manager, Cameron Dunkin has said that his boxer may be fighting again as early as the end of this year, however at a higher weight as his time in prison has added some weight which will take some months to get back to 154 pounds on the scales.

Kirkland has an amateur record of 134–12. and won the Silver Gloves championship four years in a row and lost on a controversial decision to James Patterson in the finals of the National Golden Gloves.

Kirkland turned professional in August 2001 in San Antonio, Texas. In his debut
Kirkland defeated fellow debutant Maurice Chalmers with a third round knockout.
Since 2001, Kirkland has been trained by former women's champion Ann Wolfe.

On November 22, 2008, Kirkland (24–0, 21 KOs) won an 8th round technical knockout versus Brian Vera (16–2, 10 KOs). Kirkland dropped Vera twice in Round 2.

On March 7, 2009, Kirkland defeated Joel Julio on HBO's Boxing, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose by TKO after Round 6.

Kirkland’s record, won 25 (KO 22) = 25