Michael Jennings has wished Miguel Cotto good luck ahead of his clash with Yuri Foreman. And he says he will fulfil a promise made after his clash with the Puerto Rican – and win a world title of his own. Jennings challenged Cotto for the WBO World Welterweight title in New York last February, losing in the fifth. The defeat made Jennings a fan of the hard-hitting Hispanic, and he says developed him as a fighter. Now both men have big fights coming up, with Cotto in action against Foreman on Saturday night in New York in a challenge for the WBA World Light-Middleweight title..
“Miguel was definitely the best man I fought, and a true gent after the fight,” said Jennings.
“He told me I was good enough to be a world champion, and that I could come back.
“Those words were a comfort and I have always believed that I will get another chance and when I do I will take it with both hands.
“As for his fight with Foreman, I’d like to wish him the best of luck.
“Obviously he had a tough one against Manny Pacquiao. But he’s come back before and I know he will want to put it all on the line in front of his own fans in New York.”
Jennings challeges for his old British welterweight title on July 3 at Preston Guildhall against John O’Donnell.
And he sees the fight as a stepping stone to greater things.
“I have not had too many hard fights, so I’ve got plenty left to offer,” he said. “If I beat O’Donnell that will lead to a fight against Kell Brook, and if I beat him, then I will probably get a world title chance.
“There’s so much at stake, especially as I love fighting in Preston.”
The quality-packed card, headlined by Michael Jennings versus John O’Donnell for the Vacant British Welterweight Champion, will also feature Tony Bellew’s first Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight title defence, rising welterweight hot-shot Ronnie “The Razor” Heffron, former Commonwealth Light-Middleweight Champion Matthew Hall, and Liverpool stars Joe Selkirk and Liam Smith.
Tickets for 3 Lions are priced at £30, £50, £75 and £100 and are available from:
The Preston Guild Hall Box Office
01772 258858
www.prestonguildhall.com
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com