Jennings Post Klitschko Bout

Some Credit for a Deserving Jennings

Saturday’s heavyweight bout between Wladamir Klitschko should have created more buzz given what actually took place inside the ring. Yet in spite of the fact that most were giving Jennings a snowballs chance of making it to the halfway mark let alone the championship rounds, the very same pundits are now insisting the fight was “just as they predicted”… a dud, a total mismatch and if anything another testament to the greatness of Klitschko.

                Personally I found the fight more entertaining than most of Wladamir’s recent fights; Jennings was a live dog throughout and kept his work rate busy enough to create some problems for Klitschko and also managed not to burn himself out. While Bryant was ruled out of this fight before it ever began based on his experience, or lack thereof, he showed a deep knowledge of the sport in the way he executed his game plan. Jennings focused on the body early hoping to make the head available later, his head movement was phenomenal and kept a high guard well enough to take much of the sting off of Klitscho’s power punches. He was even aware of the referee’s commands by capitalizing before a break was called, and he used his combinations in an effective enough way that Klitschko himself admitted prevented him from throwing his right as often as he’d liked to. Klitschko also showed what many already knew to be true about his boxing acumen: when chided by the ref for excessive clinching Wladamir tended to execute more effective combinations and dictate the pace.

                Despite what the scorecards said the fight was nowhere near one sided; both fighters were pushed to exchange and had various opportunities to display their ring generalship. Even if there were no knock downs or stoppages this fight was exciting. But perhaps we as spectators are too wrapped up in the nostalgia of boxing. It is a curse we share with baseball in that we perpetually look for the next Mike Tyson and compare every contemporary fighter and matchup to that of their past perceived counterparts. Klitschko vs Jennings won’t be heralded as a fight of the year but it doesn’t need to be.  What should truly be taken away from this fight is the hope for resurgence in elite level heavy weight talent.

 It is undeniable that Wladamir is the measuring stick for the Heavy weight division and is considered by some alongside the best heavyweights of all time. There is also no apparent proof of Father Time having caught up with him as of yet. Therefore when a relative unknown of average heavyweight dimensions doesn’t just survive but executes a legitimate game plan and creates a competitive matchup we should take notice.  Jennings was tested against the best in the division and did not disappoint (in fact given perception he actually surprised) and yet the conversation immediately shifts to what’s next for Wlad. Granted Wladamir is the champion with mandatories to face but he can’t face them all at the same time. Maybe Jennings could have a chance to drop Fury a la Cunningham should Deontay get a shot at the champ. It was said in the buildup that win or lose we would see the best of Bryant Jennings. I would argue Bryant brought his best at this time and that showed us that he smarter than initially perceived. I would also argue that Jennings will take away some serious ring knowledge from this opportunity. I’m keeping my resolve in the return of Heavyweight division especially Bryant Jennings and I encourage all to do the same.