Michael Jennings has been delving into the history books ahead of his clash with Kell Brook – and says he’s fired up at the thought of another Lancastrian victory over Yorkshire. Jennings and Brook are involved in a WBO welterweight world title eliminator in a mouth-watering clash on September 18 as part of Frank Warren’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ blockbuster event on September 18, live on Sky Box Office. The fight pits Lancashire (Jennings) against Yorkshire (Brook) in a modern day War of the Roses..
And 32-year-old Chorley star Jennings says that he’s found inspiration in the epic wars between the houses of York and Lancaster,
The bloody battles between 1455 and 1487 culminated in victory in the War of the Roses for Henry VII, who founded the Tudor dynasty.
“Everyone keeps billing this as another War of the Roses battle, but this will be better than the Middle Ages,” said Jennings.
“I can’t wait to get it on and show everyone that I belong at world level.
“Brook is the young pretender to my throne as the best welterweight in the country, but I’ll send him packing.
“I’ll be king of the ring, and I’ll turn Kell from prince into pauper.
“Brook’s been talking about knocking me out when we fight in Birmingham, but the red rose of Lancashire will be flying high and proud on the Magnificent Seven card.
“He’s a decent prospect but he’s not in my class, and everyone will see that in Birmingham.”
Tickets for the Magnificent Seven are priced at £40, £50, £80, £150 and £200 and are available from:
LG Arena
0844 338 8000
SMITH OFFERS TO TRAIN KOP STAR AHEAD OF McDERMOTT DEFENCE
British super-middleweight champion Paul Smith has thrown open the doors at his gym for new Kop hero Joe Cole.
Smith, 27, says the Liverpool star – a big boxing fan – is welcome to train anytime at his Bridge Road Gym in Litherland and reckons he can give Cole some extra “fight” in their campaign to win domestic and European honours this season.
“Smigga” is about to start preparations for his title against Dudley’s Darren McDermott, now confirmed for Saturday 23rd October at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, live on Sky Sports.
“I’m good mates with a lot of the lads in the team, especially Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard and they already come down the gym to train so Joe is the more than welcome to join us,” Said Smith.
“When I heard that he was coming to Anfield I was made up because he’s a fantastic player and I think that he’s been what’s missing in the side,”
“A bit of bag work, some pads and a few rounds of sparring with me will help to give him that extra fitness and mental focus for the season,”
Smith was at Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Rabotnicki on Thursday night where Cole showed his talent.
He added, “I’ve met Joe quite a few times at various fights and we’ve had a good chat about boxing and I’ve found that his knowledge of the sport is spot on. He knows all the current and past names, who’s fighting who, and what the results were.”
“He was on top form on Thursday night in his Anfield debut and even though he didn’t score, he set the place alight with his skills and had a standing ovation,”
“With a new manager and a top player like Joe joining the team, this could be the season we get ourselves together.”
With domestic rivals Tony Dodson and Tony Quigley beaten, Smith now focuses on McDermott in his second title defence.
“McDermott is a tough fighter and I’m expecting a hard night against him so I won’t be taking him lightly,”
“It took a long time to become British champion and I’m not letting it go to anybody,”
“Liverpool are playing Blackburn at home on the day of the fight so hopefully they will win and then a few of the players can get down to the Echo Arena and support me,”
WARREN’S TICKETS FOR TROOPS AT BIRMINGHAM BLOCKBUSTER!
Frank Warren has thrown his weight behind the charity Tickets for Troops.
The top promoter will give tickets to the Armed Forces for his massive September 18 ‘Magnificent Seven’ event at the LG Arena, Birmingham.
It is one of the biggest nights of boxing ever held in the UK, with a staggering nine title fights on the card and it’s live on Sky Box Office.
Tickets for Troops is the brainchild of Prime Minister David Cameron, who has approached a number of major sports, music and cultural organisations, including Premier League football clubs, and Guinness Premiership rugby sides – in a bid to offer free tickets to those serving their country.
Mr. Cameron was in Birmingham this week to highlight the scheme and said: “What is impressive is, we rang up all the football clubs, rang up all the rugby clubs, we got hold of all the people that put on shows in the West End, virtually everybody said yes, from Frank Warren – the boxing promoter, to Manchester United football club, to West Bromwich Albion. And this is providing lots of opportunities for organisations to say to our armed forces ‘we think you’re great, come and see our show for free’ – brilliant idea, though I say it myself. Now it has nothing to do with me – it is independent and running itself, but it’s just one example of the many things we should be doing to say ‘we in Britain respect our armed forces, and are proud of what you do.”
Warren is an advisory board member on the Tickets for Troops scheme since its inception.
“I said yes as soon as I was asked to be involved,” said Warren.
“The Armed Forces are big supporters of boxing, and I am delighted to be able to offer something back.
“All those who put their lives on the line for Britain are heroes, and they deserve to be treated like heroes when they return to the UK.
“It’s the least I can do and I’m sure they will have a great night with all the fantastic fights we have on the show.”