Fighters featured on the December 19 HBO Boxing After Dark and HBO Latino shows shared their final thoughts ahead of Saturdays fights at the final press conference today at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Former heavyweight world title contender Bryant “By – By” Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs) of Philadelphia was joined at the final press conference by his opponent Cuban heavyweight Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (23-0, 20 KOs), who will clash in the main event on the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast on Saturday for the WBA Interim Heavyweight World Title.
Bryant Jennings
HBO Dec. 19 Jennings/Ortiz Card Beefed Up Announces De La Hoya
The Dec. 19 HBO card from the Turning Point Resort & Casino in New York, that features the intriguing heavyweight clash between American former world title challenger, Bryant Jennings (19-1, 10ko) and unbeaten Cuban defector, Luis Ortiz (23-0, 20ko), has been beefed up with some new additions.
Golden Boy chief exec, Oscar De La Hoya, has worked with the broadcaster- as well as other promoters- to add to the card, which now also features former WBA featherweight champ, Nicholas Walters (26-0, 21ko), squaring off against fringe contender, Jason Sosa (18-1-3, 14ko) over 10 rounds at 130 lbs.
Bryant Jennings/Luis Ortiz on for December
America’s former world title challenger, Bryant Jennings (19-1, 10ko), will square off against undefeated Cuban, Luis Ortiz (23-0, 20ko) on December 19 in New York, in what is set to be an intriguing clash of heavyweight contenders.
Ortiz’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya continues his quest to provide fan-friendly fights, matching the 6′ 4″ southpaw and WBA [interim] champion with the Gary Shaw promoted Jennings, who fans last saw in April, giving a good account of himself in defeat against long-time champion, Wladimir Klitschko.
Nothing Doing Re: Wilder/Jennings
For the last few days a persistent rumour has circled on social media that oft criticised WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was seeking to squeeze in a fight with countryman and former Wladimir Klitschko foe, Bryant “By By” Jennings.
Wilder is due to face mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin in his next bout, and with Povetkin himself fighting next month in Russia against Mariusz Wach, it’s reported Wilder’s team – including elusive ‘adviser’ Al Haymon – are keen on him squeezing in one more voluntary defense before that time, however, should it happen, that WILL NOT be against Jennings.
Klitschko with huge ratings!
HBO ratings released today continue to confirm the success of his performance as the average number of viewers watching the telecast was 1,637,000, while peaking at 1,742,000, the top performing bout on premium or basic cable this year and the most watched HBO World Championship Boxing event since June 2012.
Klitschko vs Jennings, a view from the cheap seats…
From Tuesday night brawls at the legendary Blue Horizon, to throw downs at the Barclays Center, I have attended boxing matches at nearly every venue of note in the northeast. Yet for all of the live fights I have witnessed, I had never had the privilege of attending a fight at the Mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden. That all changed on a whim Saturday night, when at the last minute I scored a pair of tickets to watch Bryant “by-by” Jennings challenge Wladimir Klitschko for all the marbles in the heavyweight division. As with any last minute ticket acquisition my choices were limited, and I found myself in the 200 section surrounded by Klitscko’s faithful, who were adorned in blue and yellow, the colors of the flag of Ukraine. Each time Wladimir’s chiseled features graced the big screen over the ring, the packed house would explode, with the loudest cheers emanating from the throng occupying the upper decks, of which I was now a part.
Klitschko v Fury Looking A Certainty After NY Snooze-Fest
After last night’s jab-hug-hold fest in NY, that finally saw Wladimir Klitschko (64-3, 53ko) deducted a point for the antics that have served him so well for so long, it would appear WBO #1 Tyson Fury (24-0, 18ko) will definitely be the giant Ukranian’s next contest later this summer.
If the reception from the watching American public towards Klitschko was lukewarm before the opening bell, then last night’s performance against Bryant Jennings will have done nothing to whet their appetites ahead of a clash with the 6ft 9″ British gypsy.
I, along with many others, wrote Jennings off leading into the fight, and whilst the score cards pitched a shut-out, you can make an argument that they don’t fully reflect the performance of the Philadpelphia fighter, who showed heart and persistence in spades.
Klitschko keeps both detractors and supporters happy with a UD over Bryant Jennings
Wladimir Klitschko (63-4) retained his titles via UD against extremely fit and rugged challenger Bryant Jennings (19-1) at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. The scores were wide, 116-111 twice and 118-109, and the skill differential even wider but Jennings was more problematic for Klitschko than the scores or his own boxing ability could suggest. Klitschko acknowledged the hand speed of his opponent baffled him and he compared Jennings to a modern Frazier but he was surely far too kind and gave his opponent too much credit for fighting back sporadically. Bryant demonstrated a granite chin and courage to spare but if he had Frazier’s left hook or even half of it the fight might have turned out differently.
Wladimir Klitschko v Bryant Jennings – Main Event Review
Wladimir Klitschko successfully defended his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles at New York’s Madison Square Garden tonight with a unanimous points decision over previously undefeated challenger Bryant Jennings.
All three judges found in favour of the Ukrainian with scores of 116-111, 116-111 and 118-109, despite a spirited effort from the challenger who succeeded in announcing himself as a name in the heavyweight division.
Klitschko defeats Jennings in his return to the USA
Klitschko seemed to be missed, as the crowd was littered with Ukranian flags and would erupt even at the sight of him on the arena screens before his match-up with Jennings.