By James Slater: Freddie Roach has called him the best American prospect in today’s heavyweight division, and last night, on the under-card of Tomasz Adamek’s points win over a one-armed Eddie Chambers, Bryant Jennings improved to 14-0(6) with a ten-round shut-out over the durable Steve Collins, 25-2-1(18).
The 27-year-old from Philly, who had a limited amateur career (scoring a 13-4 record), again showed his skills, his maturity and his great conditioning. Scoring a 4th-round knockdown over Collins, Jennings, known as “By-By,” won by commanding scores of 100-89 on all three cards.
In possession of a fine left jab, the 6’2” approx 225-pound Jennings has a genuine buzz around him now. Guys like Seth Mitchell and Chris Arreola have a bigger name and a bigger fan base, but Jennings may, in time, prove to better than both of them. Last night’s win was noteworthy, but Jennings’ previous win – a 9th-round corner retirement stoppage over former WBO champ Sergei Liakhovich – was even more impressive.
Jennings may be ready for a big fight next time out. Trained by Fred Jenkins (who worked with, amongst others, Zahir Raheem, Freddy Brown and Rodney Moore), the hardworking, dedicated Philly fighter feels he will definitely become world champ when he is given his shot.
“I feel I’m the full package,” Jennings told Boxing News earlier this year.
“There are some other good heavyweights in the U.S, but whereas those guys do just one thing well – punch hard or move well for example – I am a complete fighter. I have good defence, footwork and I hit hard. But right now, all I want to do is to prove myself by getting to world championship level. I’m ready for that now. I’m not concerned with what organisation or governing body [’s belt] I fight for. I’m ready to step up to the plate.
“When I fight better opposition, I step it up myself. I’ve passed every test I’ve had with flying colours. Rules are made to be broken, and in the past fighters with around ten fights or less have won the world title – look at Leon Spinks for one example. I’m on the fast track. I just want the Klitschkos to give me my chance before they retire. I figure in a year or so, they might be calling it a day.”
The knock on Jennings, at least as far as some fans are concerned, is his lack of size. At 6’2” and 225, is he big enough for the Klitschkos?
“Go back in history, the best heavyweights were not the biggest guys,” Jennings said in reply to the negativity.
“We don’t know if the Klitschkos would have been on top if they’d come along in the Ali or Frazier or Foreman era. Let me get my shot and I’ll prove what I know. I’ll take the fight to them, I’ll eat the jabs I have to eat on the way in and I’ll take the fight to them – hard. I’m a heavyweight who moves like a lightweight! I won’t wait in the fight. I won’t give them the time to get set and box their usual fight. My reach will definitely give them [the Klitschkos] trouble. I have an 84” reach and, well, they list me at 6’2,” but I’m a little taller than that. I like it that they have me listed as shorter.”
Pretty soon we may find out if Jennings can indeed give Wladimir trouble. A fight with Vitali looks out, as the 41-year-old is approaching his swansong, but Jennings has “Dr. Steel Hammer” firmly in his sights. Could Bryant Jennings be the man to bring heavyweight gold back to the U.S?