13.07 - Press Release- Kitchener super middleweight boxer Syd 'The Jewel' Vanderpool sends light heavyweight Demetrius Jenkins (21-10-1) to the canvas en route to a victory Saturday (July 12th) in Las Vegas. It was a 9th-round stoppage, upping Vanderpool's record to 34-2

Vanderpool got in some well aimed body shots until he was briefly downed by one of Jenkins famous right hooks in Round-2. But that was Jenkins' last victory hope. Vanderpool dominated from then on - working his jab to establish the tempo of the fight. The Jewel's hard left hands and upper cuts soon took their toll on Jenkins who, after a flurry of punches in Round-5 - moved along the ropes attempting to avoid Vanderpool. In Round-8, a right hook to Jenkins' chin succeeded in dropping the light heavyweight to the canvas - barely making it to his feet in time to continue. Syd pressed his advantage, working methodically to dismantle Jenkins. In Round- 9, it was obvious that Jenkins was hurting, his responses being limited - and at the end of the round, the referee called the fight - giving Syd a 9th round stoppage.

This victory over Jenkins shows the true championship ability of Vanderpool -as Demetrius 'The Spoiler' Jenkins was no easy opponent. First off, Jenkins is a legitimate light heavyweight (169 lbs - 175 lbs) while Vanderpool is a super middleweight (160 lbs - 168 lbs). Says Vanderpool. " This goes to show it has nothing to do with weight, and everything to do with skill and talent." As well, Jenkins had blazed quite a trail in his own right. A light-heavyweight and IBC super-middleweight champion, Jenkins traded punches over the years with former world title challengers Omar Sheika (l KO 2), Julian Letterlough (l KO 7) and Eric Harding (l pts 10) - and he also holds a 7th-round stoppage win over former world super-middleweight Frankie Liles.

Thursday, there had been word that Vanderpool would instead take on light heavyweight Manuel Siaca - Siaca's bout with Lou Delvalle fell through when Delvalle pulled out due to a health problem. But that did not materialize.

The win over Jenkins should go a long way toward improving Vanderpool's standings - they'd slipped somewhat due to several months of inactivity. The Jewel's last bout was December 2002 - a 2nd-round victory over Jaffa Ballagou in Atlantic City. Syd was also passed over for a title fight with WBO Super Middleweight chap Welshman Joe 'The Terminator" Calzaghe (Kawl ZAH-ghee) in Wales who took on a 9th ranked opponent instead - they even cancelled Syd's undercard so as not to show up the 'champ'.

Vanderpool rightly feels he is showing championship ability and is looking for a world title sooner rather than later, "It would be nice to see Sven Ottke staring at me across the canvas - and if Calzaghe ever finds his backbone, I'll take him on as well. As for Montreal's Eric Lucas - I think we'll be meeting sooner, rather than later. I have a few very special things to show him - Canadian to Canadian."

The Vanderpool/Jenkins fight was not shown locally - but can be seen this Thursday night, July 17th at Philthy McNasty's on the big screen. A battle well worth watching!