Bryant Jennings

Bryant Jennings (born September 25, 1984) is an American professional boxer. He has challenged once for the unified world heavyweight titles in 2015, and the WBA interim heavyweight title in the same year. Jennings holds notable wins over former world champion Siarhei Liakhovich, as well as former world title contenders Mike Perez and Artur Szpilka.

Bryant Jennings
Jennings in 2013
Statistics
Nickname(s)	By-By
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach	84 in (213 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	September 25, 1984 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	28
Wins	24
Wins by KO	14
Losses	4

Amateur career

Jennings had an amateur record of 13-4. He reached the finals of the 2009 National Golden Gloves tournament, losing by decision to veteran Lenroy Thompson.[1]

Professional career

Early career

Jennings made his professional debut on February 26, 2010. He beat Zeferino Albino by unanimous decision over four rounds. He went on the knock out Jon Bolden in three rounds and then rematched Albino on April 30, this time he knocked Albino in the first round. He went on to beat Bernell Stewart and Randy Smith in 2010.

Jennings first fight of 2011 was on the February 26. He beat Theron Johnson by unanimous decision. He next fought David Williams, who he knocked out in two rounds. On 4 June he beat Mike Miller by unanimous decision. On July 23 he rematched Theron Johnson, again beating him by unanimous decision. Jennings fought twice more in 2011, beating Alexis Mejias and Kevin Franklin.

Jennings’ first fight of 2012 was a ten-round bout against Maurice Byarm on January 21 at the Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia on the NBC Sports Network Fight Night opening card. Jennings won the bout by unanimous decision to claim the Pennsylvania State heavyweight title.[2]

On March 24, 2012, he faced former WBO heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich. The fight took place at Aviator Sports Complex, Brooklyn, New York and was televised on NBC Sports.[3] Jennings controlled the fight with his jab and power punches. He won the fight after Liakhovich retired at the end of round nine.[4] Jennings then faced Steve Collins (25-1) on June 16, 2012 at the Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey. The fight was co-main event as part of NBC Sports Fight Night event, including Tomasz Adamek vs. Eddie Chambers. He won by unanimous decision after ten rounds to claim the USBA heavyweight title.[5] Jennings went on to fight two more times in 2012, knocking out Chris Koval in 35 seconds. Then stopping Bowie Tupou in five rounds to retain his USBA heavyweight title.[6]

Jennings fought once in 2013, on June 14, stopping Andrey Fedosov in six rounds after Fedosov did not come out for the seventh.

On January 25, 2014, Jennings fought Polish heavyweight, Artur Szpilka, at the Madison Square Garden. Jennings knocked out Szpilka in the tenth round. Jennings' next fight was against highly-ranked contender Mike Perez, on July 26, 2014. He beat Perez by a close fought split decision to earn a title shot as No.1 ranked contender and mandatory challenger, for the WBC title.

Jennings later signed with promoters Gary Shaw and Antonio Leonard after buying out his existing agreement with Russell Peltz.

Jennings vs. Klitschko

Jennings faced heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on April 25, 2015 in Madison Square Garden for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles.[7] Klitschko won the fight due to his effective use of his jab and hard right cross keeping Jennings at bay, Klitschko won via unanimous decision with two judges scoring it 116–111 and the final judge scoring it 118–109.[8] After the fight, Klitschko admitted that this was one of his hardest fights in years.

Jennings vs. Ortiz

On December 19, 2015, Jennings faced undefeated Cuban heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz, for the WBA interim heavyweight title. Jennings lost the fight by technical knockout in the seventh round after he was dropped by a left uppercut from Ortiz, who then continued to land heavy shots before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.[9]

Comeback

After not fighting for over a year following the Ortiz loss, Jennings signed with Top Rank.[10] Jennings returned to the ring on August 19, 2017, against journeyman Daniel Martz on the undercard of Terence Crawford vs. Julius Indongo. He knocked out Martz in the second round. He next fought on December 9, 2017, at the Madison Square Garden, on the undercard of Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux. Where he knocked out Don Haynesworth in three rounds. His first fight of 2018 was against Akhror Muralimov on February 16. He knocked out Muralimov in the third round. Jennings’ next fight took place on April 28, 2018, where he beat Joey Dawejko by unanimous decision over ten rounds.

Jennings vs Dimitrenko

On June 27, 2018, it was announced that Jennings would take on German heavyweight contender Alexander Dimitrenko in a twelve round main event on August 18, 2018 at the Ocean Resort Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey. He won by technical knockout in the ninth round. This was a highly criticized stoppage with Dimitrenko even saying he was "still able to fight" and that "we are not children" [11]

Personal life

Jennings is Muslim,[12] and has been a vegan since August 2013.[13][14]

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary

28 fights	24 wins	4 losses
By knockout	14	2
By decision	10	2

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
28	Loss	24–4	Joe Joyce	UD	12	Jul 13, 2019	The O2 Arena, London, England
27	Loss	24–3	Óscar Rivas	TKO	12 (12), 0:54	Jan 18, 2019	Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.	Lost IBF International and WBO–NABO heavyweight titles; For NABF heavyweight title
26	Win	24–2	Alexander Dimitrenko	TKO	9 (12), 1:56	Aug 18, 2018	Ocean Resort Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	Won IBF International and vacant WBO–NABO heavyweight titles
25	Win	23–2	Joey Dawejko	UD	10	Apr 28, 2018	Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Won vacant Pennsylvania heavyweight title
24	Win	22–2	Akhror Muralimov	TKO	3 (8), 1:12	Feb 16, 2018	Grand Sierra Resort Grand Theatre, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
23	Win	21–2	Don Haynesworth	TKO	3 (8), 2:29	Dec 9, 2017	The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
22	Win	20–2	Daniel Martz	TKO	2 (8), 2:18	Aug 19, 2017	Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
21	Loss	19–2	Luis Ortiz	TKO	7 (12), 2:41	Dec 19, 2015	Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.	For WBA interim heavyweight title
20	Loss	19–1	Wladimir Klitschko	UD	12	Apr 25, 2015	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	For WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles
19	Win	19–0	Mike Perez	SD	12	Jul 26, 2014	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
18	Win	18–0	Artur Szpilka	TKO	10 (10), 2:20	Jan 25, 2014	The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
17	Win	17–0	Andrey Fedosov	RTD	6 (10), 3:00	Jun 14, 2013	Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
16	Win	16–0	Bowie Tupou	TKO	5 (12), 1:37	Dec 8, 2012	McGonigle Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Retained IBF–USBA heavyweight title
15	Win	15–0	Chris Koval	TKO	1 (8), 0:35	Sep 8, 2012	Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Steve Collins	UD	10	Jun 16, 2012	Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.	Won vacant IBF–USBA heavyweight title
13	Win	13–0	Siarhei Liakhovich	RTD	9 (10), 3:00	Mar 24, 2012	Aviator Sports and Events Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Maurice Byarm	UD	10	Jan 21, 2012	Asylum Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Won vacant Pennsylvania heavyweight title
11	Win	11–0	Kevin Franklin	TKO	1 (6), 1:51	Nov 19, 2011	Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Alexis Mejias	UD	6	Sep 9, 2011	Asylum Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Theron Johnson	UD	6	Jul 23, 2011	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Mike Miller	UD	4	Jun 4, 2011	The Hamilton Manor, Hamilton Township, New Jersey, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	David Williams	TKO	2 (6), 3:00	Apr 23, 2011	Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Theron Johnson	UD	6	Feb 26, 2011	Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Randy Smith	TKO	2 (4), 2:18	Dec 9, 2010	Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Bernell Stewart	UD	4	Jul 30, 2010	South Philly Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Zeferino Albino	TKO	1 (4), 2:59	Apr 30, 2010	South Philly Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Jon Bolden	KO	3 (4), 3:06	Apr 2, 2010	The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Zeferino Albino	UD	4	Feb 26, 2010	South Philly Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

References

1. "Sheika vs Wilson: Bryant Jennings added to the card". Boxing Scene. April 14, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
2. Rafael, Dan (January 21, 2012). "Bryant Jennings wins decision". ESPN. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
3. "Liakhovich-Jennings, Adamek Added To Judah-Paris - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
4. "Bryant Jennings". BoxRec.com. 1984-09-25. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
5. "Bryant Jennings Dominates Steve Collins Over Ten - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-09-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
7. Rafael, Dan. "Jennings to take on Klitschko". ESPN. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
8. "Wladimir Klitschko stops Bryant Jennings to retain titles". New York Post. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
9. Lance Pugmire (October 21, 2015). "Unbeaten Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz to fight Bryant Jennings on Dec. 19". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
10. "Top Rank signs former heavyweight title challenger Bryant Jennings". Espn.com.au. Retrieved 2017-06-23.
11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMCBhl-t4nk
12. @BYJennings (25 February 2017). "I'm a Muslim, young, black, inspiring, vegan, determined man living in America. How is that even possible. Leave it up to them it isn't!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
13. Lillis, Steve (April 22, 2015). "10 random facts about Bryant Jennings". BoxNation. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
14. Fitzsimmons, Lyle (December 17, 2015). "Meet Bryant Jennings: The Vegan Gunning to Be Heavyweight Champion". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 17, 2018.

External links

• Boxing record for Bryant Jennings from BoxRec