Exclusive Interview: Michael Jennings

SaddoBoxing recently had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Michael Jennings, former WBU, British and English welterweight champion.

The 34 year old from Chorley, England turned pro in 1999, winning the English title in 2004 against Chris Saunders, capturing the British belt in 2005 against Jimmy Vincent before losing it on his second defense to Young Mutley.

In 2007, Jennings defeated Takaloo to annex the WBU crown, making a defense before stepping up to unsuccessfully challenge Miguel Cotto for the vacant WBO title in 2009.

Jennings last fought in August, 2010, suffering a fifth round stoppage at the hands of Kell Brook in a WBO title eliminator that was also for the British and WBO Intercontinental belts.

Michael’s boxing record to date is 36 (KO 17) wins with 3 (KO 2) losses and the sharp punching stylist talks exclusively to SaddoBoxing about his beginnings in the sport, his boxing heroes, his comeback plans and much more.

SaddoBoxing: What got you into the sport of boxing?

Michael Jennings: My older brother Raymond went to the gym about six years before me and for some reason, everyone at my school thought I was a boxer. I wanted to go down and try but never got around to it. My younger brother David went, then the following week I went myself and never looked back.

SB: I know that you have had a shoulder injury; how hard has your road to recovery been and how hard has it been to be kept out of the ring since you last fought Kell Brook for the WBO Inter-Continental and British welterweight title in September, 2010?

MJ: It as been one of the worst things I have had to do. I have been boxing for 22 years and never had longer than two weeks out of the gym in all that time. Since I have had the injury I have not trained properly for three months and it as been a complete transition in my way of life.

SB: What is your plans for the future in boxing and in life in general?

MJ: I want to be boxing early next year and win the British title back and win it outright. Then if any offers come up that are right for me, I will take them. I will box anyone in the world at my weight. I also own a security firm www.jenningssecurity.com that is doing well. I have opened a boxing gym up to that Iam waiting to get affiliated to the Amateur Boxing Association.

SB: What is the hardest thing about being a boxer?

MJ: Dieting.

SB: Do you have any pre-fight superstitions?

MJ: No not really. I try visit my brother’s grave before a fight, but it’s not something that if I didn’t do I would be worried to lose the fight because I hadn’t been, if you get what I mean.

SB: What would you be if you weren’t a boxer?

MJ: Not a clue

SB: What is your training routine?

MJ: When I am getting ready for a fight, I train at the boxing gym Monday thru Friday from 10am to 2pm, running on those same days at 6pm. Saturdays, I run in the early morning. I do weights in the gym Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm to 4pm, strength work.

SB: Who is the toughest fighter that you have faced and why?

MJ: Miguel Cotto, because he is good at everything in the ring.

SB: Who are your favorite boxers, past and present, and why are they your
favorites?

MJ: For the past, Ali because of how good he was in the ring, Chris Eubank because I remember watching him when I was younger and I always wanted him to beat Nigel Benn even though I like Benn now. Naseem Hamed because he was entertaining. Ricky Hatton because he was courageous and always put 100% into his fights.

For the present, Cotto because he beat me and Manny Pacquiao because he is the pound for pound best on the planet.

SB: Who are your biggest influences in boxing and in life?

MJ: my mum, my dad, my kids and all my close family.

SB: I ask everyone I interview if Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao get it on, who will win and why?

MJ: Manny Pacquiao just because I think he is a true warrior and will fight anyone, hopefully Mayweather in the very near future, that ain’t to say he will win though because Mayweather is a masterclass in the art of boxing.

SB: Is there anything you want to say to your fans and our website viewers out there, Michael?

MJ: Thanks to the people that have supported me in my past fights and hopefully my future fights.

SB: Michael, thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with me for saddoboxing.com.

MJ: It is my pleasure to conduct this interview with yourself and saddoboxing.com