Boxing
‘It’s Tough to Let Go’: Why Bryant Jennings Is Coming Back Five Years After Defeat
Published
3 months agoon
When Bryant Jennings steps into the ring to face Joel Caudle on Saturday night, he will do so as an energetic competitor for the first time in more than five years.
In July 2019, Jennings lost a unanimous decision to Joe Joyce at London’s O2 Arena after 12 rounds. He has remained inactive ever since, a fighter all but forgotten as the heavyweight division was largely bought out by Saudi Arabia and held together while the demand for Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk grew.
In those five years, Fury and Usyk finally fought after being postponed twice, Francis Ngannou was handsomely rewarded as a heavyweight title contender, Deontay Wilder’s career as a world title contender was ended and, most recently, Daniel Dubois was elevated to IBF champion status.
Jennings, who maintains he defeated Joyce in 2019, also saw Joyce pick up his best win over Joseph Parker before falling to Zhilei Zhang twice, and Jared Anderson emerged as the American heavyweight hope in equally dramatic fashion as Martin Bakole threatened Anderson’s prospects.
Speculation about fantasy fights suddenly looking possible has become as much of a fixture as competitions between fighters that are dwindling in numbers. Joyce’s recent loss to Derek Chisora – Jennings was in London to support Chisora prepare and offer support to a fighter he didn’t expect to still be energetic – has helped the 39-year-old American see significant opportunity in a comeback.
Jennings insists he’s not doing this because he needs the money, and that he’s never considered himself a retiree. Instead, he plans to gradually rebuild his standing and potentially return to the level he reached when he dealt Mike Perez his first career loss, and also tested himself in fights with Wladimir Klitschko and the undefeated Luis Ortiz.
“I tried to make it as peaceful as possible because it’s been a while, so I wanted to make it quick,” he told BoxingScene of Saturday’s fight at The Met Philadelphia in his hometown.
“My understanding of my physical abilities; my understanding of the openness, still, of the boxing game; the lack of progress in terms of the up-to-date era that’s actually taking over. We’ve got quite a few up-to-date names, like younger guys, but it’s still the Furys, the Usyks, [Anthony] Joshuas, Chisoras. They’re in my class and still the most competitive guys in the heavyweight division.
“I would assume I’m in that lineup too. If it was a group of 20-year-olds or 25-year-olds running the game and bringing the older guys out – but it’s not, and I still have the ability and the physicality to be able to compete.
“I made it clear, [returning] for some time, but only when it was actually planned [that it started to take place]. I introduced myself to a couple of promoters; they didn’t seem interested. “Okay, I’ll just do my own thing.” I would say about a year ago – time flies – and then I started working on something.
“You have to take into account two and a half years and the effects of the pandemic, and that’s why I pulled out, because they tried to force me to take the vaccine. I had to pull out two weeks before the fight. I just had to say, ‘I’m out.’ It’s not right – you shouldn’t take someone’s fight away just because of the vaccine. It took a while for everything to get back to normal. Now that it’s normal – now that everything is working again – I’m starting over.”
It was in 2021, in a rematch in Canada with Oscar Rivas at bridgeweight, that Jennings’ plans to fight were abandoned. He is still set to compete at bridgeweight as well as heavyweight – it’s at heavyweight that he’ll fight the underrated 34-year-old Caudle – and is instead prioritizing the activity he believes he’ll need to get back to in order to be close to his best.
Similarly significant is the fact that in his absence, fellow Philadelphian Jaron “Boots” Ennis has emerged as the world’s best welterweight. Ennis’ promoters, Matchroom, have made no secret of their desire to showcase him in his hometown; Jennings is trained by Ennis’ father and trainer Derek “Bozy” Ennis; there’s potential for him to spar with Jarrell Miller, a fighter who benefits from Saudi Arabia’s investment in the heavyweight division, and, more importantly, he has a chance to fight in promotions of a stature that Philadelphia hasn’t had in a long time.
“If I come back, I’ll make more money, but it’s not like, ‘Oh my God, I’m fighting because I need crumbs,'” he said before the Rodney Rice-promoted game. “No. But you have ambition and you understand what your bread and butter is, in terms of what’s really going to make you money. It doesn’t have to be desperation that you’re playing for money. It doesn’t have to be a moment of desperation where you say, ‘I need money.’ I’m well-off, but we can always operate money as long as our tools work; as long as our brains work; as long as we’re working, we can always operate some extra money.
“In the beginning I was supposed to be involved in a lot of these things, [Saudi Arabia’s ambitions]. Covid has really mixed up a lot of different things. But if the fight isn’t in Saudi Arabia, it doesn’t mean I don’t want to fight.
“It’s there [fighting in Philadelphia] it’s something very engaging. Jaron Ennis – his father is my coach. It’s a very close situation that makes sense and it’s not something I would have to go to someone else outside for. I’m basically at home.
“[I want to] get to work; they’re throwing a lot of money now. They’re throwing a lot of money, and I’m still so attached; no matter what, it’s challenging to get away from it.
“A quick win – I don’t think this fight here is a real ring-ruster. This one is for exposure; just getting the feel back; getting in the ring and feeling that feeling. ‘Wow, I’m really here.’ I think it takes away the stage fright or the anxiety or whatever you normally feel when you get in the ring. Or maybe the next fight is a few rounds, the atmosphere of the sport.
“One month; two months” [for that next fight]. Whatever. All these fights once a year – that killed a lot of games. “The next time we see this guy will be March.” Damn it, I don’t want that.
“I understand that the fee that has to be paid, [fighting] can take away a person’s lack of work ethic. I’ve seen people go downhill even faster [than Joyce while I’ve been inactive]. Five years is a long time for someone to go downhill; I’ve seen people go downhill faster. If you don’t take care of yourself; if you don’t take care of your body; if you don’t work challenging; if you’re not disciplined, these are the things you can fall victim to.
“[Assisting Chisora] inspired me to appreciate the love that he gets, the identity of his career and how much respect and love he got. That fight was good enough to leave. I understand he wants to fight two more, but that was the mark of his career to say, ‘You know what? No matter what happens, he finished it powerful.’ He doesn’t have to fight another fight.”
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Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
2 hours agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
2 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
Boxing
Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory
Published
2 days agoon
November 21, 2024Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.
Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.
Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.
Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.
Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.
Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”
BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.
There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.
Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.
McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.
English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.
Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.
Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.
After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.
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