Exclusive Interview with British Boxing Champion Michael Jennings
 © Jane Warburton SaddoBoxing.com |
British Welterweight champion Michael Jennings arrived on the big stage with a one round blast out of danger man Jimmy Vincent to win the British title in his last fight. Next up is his first defence of his title against Welsh hard man Bradley Pryce. The two are scheduled as the headliner on Sports Network’s fantastic card from Preston this evening, to be screened live in the UK on terestrial |
televison giant, ITV starting at 9PM. The main event is poised to be an exiting battle between the superior boxer in Jennings and big hearted brawler Pryce but there’s also a raft of other talented Sports Network fighters on the bill including Thomas McDonagh, Kevin Mitchell, Ryan Rhodes, Derry Matthews and others. SaddoBoxing.com was fortunate enough to speak with The Chorley favourite and next fight is not to be missed, as there are sure to be fireworks. Here is what Michael had to say about himself, his upcoming fight and his goals for the future.
Saddoboxing: Next up for you is your British title defence against Welshman Bradley Price. What do you think of Price as a fighter?
Michael Jennings: “Price is a good, tough, durable fighter. I’ve seen him box some good guys so I’ll have to be on the ball from round one.”
SB: What do you think will happen in the fight?
MJ: “I’m confident I’ll win, if I go in there and stick to my boxing and do what I normally do I’ll be ok.”
SB: Bradley Price likes to stand and trade. How do you plan to tackle this?
MJ: “I’m going to go in there like I do in every fight and have a look in round one. I know he likes a brawl but even though I’m more of a boxer I quite like a brawl myself. Even though Brian tells me off when I get into them. I’ll just stick to my boxing and I’ll win.”
SB: Bradley Price has had a lot of very hard fights. Do you think this will have a factor on the outcome?
MJ: “I’m not one for bad mouthing people, but he has had a few hard ones. He was in the fight of the year with Gavin Down a while ago. He got dropped but got up to win. He said he is going to be fitter than me. That is impossible. I’ve been training like mad so I’m well up for it.”
SB: You have been accused of not being much of a banger in the past. Lately, however you have been taking them out in style. Have you changed anything in training which has brought out your power?
MJ: “I haven’t made any major changes to my training. I am just planting my feet more and connecting better. I used to be running about the ring with more of an amateur style. But over the last two years I’ve matured and my style has changed. Now when I connect, I seem to be hurting them with every shot.”
SB: How has your training gone for this fight?
MJ: “Training has gone fine. I don’t really struggle to make weight anyway but I do have to diet like everyone else. For the last week I’ve been hovering just above weight but I made the weight no problem. 10 ½ stone (146.5 lbs) no problem. Everything has gone fine. Running and sparing has gone great. I’m ready.”
SB: Looking forward, with WBU champ Eamon Magee, Commonwealth champ Kevin Anderson and Takaloo moving down from light middle, there are some interesting fights out there domestically. What’s next for you?
MJ: “Like you say there is a lot of good fights out there in the future. However at this moment in time I am only going to concentrate on this fight. I take one fight ata time. I have a good mental attitude so I’m not going to look past this fight.”
SB: You’re coming fresh of your one round blast out of Jimmy Vincent. Vincent isn’t a man who usually looses early. How did it feel to win the British title in such devastating fashion?
MJ: “It felt brilliant especially with it being shown on terrestrial television on ITV. In the first minute of the first round I threw a one-two. When the right hand connected his eyes and legs went. But about 15 seconds later he hit me in the arm with a left hook. I knew he had recovered so I backed off. I went in again I hit him with another right hand. This time when I saw his legs go I followed through with a left hook and it was all over. It was amazing.”
SB: You served a long apprenticeship in the pro ranks; do you think you are reaping the benefits now.
MJ: “Without doubt. Two and a half years ago I was just a kid but now I’ve had time to mature you can see the difference. Look what happens when I fight now”.
SB: Who do you fancy to win out of Magee and Takaloo?
MJ: “I think Magee will win. He will out box Takaloo pretty easily in my opinion.”
SB: What are your long term goals in boxing?
MJ: “Well first of all, I want to get through this first defence then if everything goes to plan, I want to win the Lonsdale belt outright. Then I want to move on to a different level, beat everyone on the way and continue to move up to another level.”
SB: What can we expect to see from the Michael Jennings over the next year or so?
MJ: “I’m going to keep improving with every fight. I believe in myself so I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and keep getting better. People are saying that I’m getting better with every fight so I’m going to keep doing that.”
SB: Thanks for taking the time out to speak with Saddoboxing.com. Good luck and I hope to speak with you soon.
MJ: “No problem. Thanks.”