Michael Jennings has congratulated welterweight rival Kell Brook on winning the Boxing Writers’ Young Boxer of the Year Award – but says he’ll leave the scribes open-mouthed next month. Jennings challenges Brook for the British title in Liverpool on October 30. And it’s a classic clash of youth versus experience, with young gun Brook and old hand Jennings both confident of victory. Brook was given a boost last week when it was confirmed that he had won the Boxing Writers’ award after a highly successful 12 months, during which he won a Lonsdale belt outright..
But Jennings has vowed to spoil the party at the Liverpool Echo Arena.
“First of all, I’d like to congratulate Kell on winning the award,” said Jennings.
“He’s had a fantastic 12 months and you’ve got to take your hat off to him for what he has acheived.
“It was really a choice between Kell and Nathan Cleverly, and I wasn’t surprised that he got picked because he’s such a good young talent.
“But young is the important word, because Kell hasn’t met anyone like me in his career and he’s very much a prospect at the moment.
“He has to face a test sometime and I’m that test for him because I’ve got so much experience, and that’s going to be the key when we meet in Liverpool.
“He can get all the plaudits he likes from the press, but I know that he isn’t ready for the deep waters that I’ll be taking him too.
“I’m a former British champion, a former WBU champion and a former world title challenger.
“I’ve been there and done it all, and I’ve every confidence that I’ll be beating Kell.
“I’m really good mates with all the press guys, but hearing that Kell has won the Boxing Writers’ award has just made me want to beat him even more and prove them wrong.”
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FRY OUT TO UPSET CLEVERLY
British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight title challenger Courtney Fry says taking on Nathan Cleverly will be a walk in the park – compared to dealing with some of the country’s most troubled youngsters.
2000 Sydney Olympian Fry will tackle Cleverly at the Bethnal Green’s York Hall on October 9.
And the 34-year-old says he will fulfill his potential on the night and snap the unbeaten record of Cleverly, one of the country’s brightest prospects.
Despite more than six years as a professional, three ABA title and Commonwealth Games gold medal, Fry has only had 15 fights, but says he is determined to take his chance – and is more in love with boxing than ever.
A balanced life outside the ring has helped – including working with what he describes as “naughty kids” up and down the country.
“I’m involved with Sport England and we try and get disengaged young adults into sporting activities,” said Fry.
“I work in Liverpool where I’m based now, as well as London, where I’m originally from, so there are some pretty challenging characters that I have to deal with.
“But I love helping people to turn their lives around, and the work is as fulfilling as anything I’ve done.
“I don’t think Nathan is a naughty kid, but I’ll be taking him back to school on October 9!”
Fry recognises that he is an underdog going into the fight, but insists he’ll pull off a surprise at the home of boxing.
“I don’t really think that I have fulfilled my potential,” he said.
“The last few years have been an uphill struggle for me, but I’m in a good place right now.
‘I’ve seen a few of Nathan’s fights and I know that he won’t be a push over.
“But I can box and I can fight and I can mix it up, so I’ll be going in there full of confidence.”
Tickets, priced at £40 and £50, are available from Frank Warren Promotions on 01992 550 888