Undefeated heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings is more than willing to challenge heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on April 6 in Germany, according to Jennings’ promoter, J Russell Peltz.
“I cannot understand why Klitschko’s people are having such a tough time finding someone to fight,” Peltz said. “I spoke with their American representatives a few weeks ago and offered Jennings but I was told we were not being considered.”
Jennings, 28, of Philadelphia, is ranked No. 3 by the IBF and No. 22 by the WBC. He turned pro in 2010 and is 16-0, 8 K0s, and he holds the USBA heavyweight title.
“I am sure there are more than a few European boxing fans who have heard of Jennings, especially after he knocked out (ex-WBO champion) Sergei Liakhovich last year in Brooklyn,” Peltz added. “Some of the recent names that have been tossed out there couldn’t stand up to Jennings, so I do not see what the problem is with finding someone credible to fight Klitschko.
“Bryant has been asking for this fight for months.”
Jennings, an unknown at this time last year, broke into the heavyweight picture by winning five fights in 2013. In addition to beating Liakhovich, he pinned the first loss on previously unbeaten lefty Maurice Byarm, of Washington, DC, and he won the vacant USBSA title by pitching a shutout against iron-chinned Steve Collins, of Houston, TX.
In his last fight Dec. 8 in Philadelphia, Jennings defended the USBA crown by knocking out Bowie Tupou, of Tonga, in five rounds.
All of those 2013 fights were televised as part of the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series.
“I see things in their (Klitschko) arsenal, things that I could apply,” Jennings recently told Chris Mannix, of Sports Illustrated. “It’s not that (Klitschko) has weaknesses, it’s that I see things in him that I may be able to break through on. Wladimir has a problem being challenged. He is very seldom challenged. I know that if he gets hit on the chin, he is going down. I have confidence in my ability. I know I will try harder than those other guys he has fought. One of his weaknesses is that I think he would underestimate me, just like the rest of the guys I fought. I’m a light guy and he would think he can just push me around.
“Everyone knows how bad I want that fight. I don’t want to wait for my career. I don’t have 10 more years. I have a pace that I created and I’m just trying to keep up with that pace. I don’t have time to be slowed down. I came here fast and I’ll leave fast.”
