Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 25 Oct 2025
COSTA MESA, CA (October 24, 2025) – Middleweight prospect Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman (6-0, 3 KOs) continued his rapid rise through the ranks last night with a dominant second-round stoppage of hard-hitting opponent Wesley Vanderlinden (4-2-1, 4 KOs) in a scheduled six-round co-main event bout at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California. The fight was part of Roy Englebrecht’s iconic Fight Club OC series, a proving ground for boxing’s top young talent.
The opening round saw Kirkman take a measured approach, using movement and timing to feel out his opponent. The Stanford University grad’s timing and power were on full display. Midway through the round, he landed a sharp body shot that visibly hurt Vanderlinden, who managed to survive the round despite showing signs of trouble. In Round 2, Kirkman turned up the pressure. After calmly walking Vanderlinden down, he seized the perfect opening, capitalizing on a lazy jab with a devastating counter right hand that rocked his opponent. With Vanderlinden staggering, Kirkman closed the show with a relentless flurry, forcing the referee to step in and wave it off.
The fight marked Kirkman’s first appearance in Southern California, a boxing hotbed known for its deep talent pool and loyal fight fan base. “Fighting in Southern California for the first time was special,” said Kirkman. “The energy from the crowd was electric, and it pushed me to another level. This was one of those nights where everything came together — preparation, focus, execution. I wanted to leave a strong impression on the fans, and I think I did exactly that.
With six straight wins, three by knockout, Kirkman is gaining momentum as one of the most intriguing young fighters in the middleweight division. The 24-year-old prospect sees this victory as a key stepping stone in his development. “Vanderlinden came in with power, but I wasn’t going to let him get comfortable. I controlled the pace and showed what I’m capable of. This win shows I’m evolving. I’m more than just power — I’m learning how to break guys down and finish them when the time’s right,” Kirkman said. “I’m ready for tougher tests. I want to stay active, keep climbing, and get myself into the conversation for bigger fights by next year.”
Kirkman’s polished performance and poise under the lights signal a fighter who’s not just undefeated, but one with a clear vision and hunger for more. The Northern California prospect is looking to fight one more time by the end of the year.
“I’m hoping to get one more fight in 2025,” concluded Kirkman. “I have a great team behind me, and I believe my future is bright. All the hard work is paying off and it’s show in my performances.”
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