KLITSCHKO TRIUMPHS OVER JENNINGS IN HIS RETURN TO THE AMERICAN BOXING SCENE
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 26 Apr 2015
NEW YORK ? Eclipsed by the upcoming Fight of the Century in the West Coast next week, current three division heavyweight king, Wladimir Klitschko and unbeaten contender, Bryant Jennings clashed for the champ?s three heavyweight jewels in front of a loud and noisy seventeen thousand boxing fans and the influential New York media that trooped to The Mecca of Boxing, the Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan.
Klitschko, the heavy favorite tonight and unbeaten in a decade, made a successful return to the American boxing scene after seven years of mostly fighting in Europe, with a precise execution of boxing against a game Jennings of nearby Philadelphia.
Armed with his piercing jabs and a powerful right hand, the IBF, WBO, WBA and IBO heavyweight champion routed Jennings with a Unanimous Decision victory in 12 rounds of championship boxing to retain his belts.
The official scores of 116-111 and 118-109 (twice) in favor of Klitschko reflected his challenger?s effort in the ring as Jennings chased and engaged the bigger Klitschko in hopes of pulling the upset, resulting in an exciting and close fight against the champ.
Jennings was able to close the distance starting in the 3rd, utilizing quick movements and his fast hands to get in contact with the defensive-minded champion. He was able to land in Klitschko?s body, earning him the round in two of the judges? cards.
Cheered by his Philly fans and chants of ?USA, USA?, Jennings went to work again in rounds 6 and 7, showing confidence when he landed successfully against the champion.
But Klitschko is Klitschko, and despite the problems that Jennings provided tonight and a deduction for excessive holding in the 10th, he utilized the most effective weapon in boxing ? the jab, which frustrated Jennings in the last quarter of the bout.
That long, accurate and piercing jab is usually followed by a hard right hand and a crisp right hook that almost knocked down Jennings in the last minute of the bout, sealing the win for the champion.
?Every time I went in, he was holding. I hit him in the body with about a hundred body shots but not much to the head though. I thought the margin could have been closer,? stated Jennings after the fight.
Klitschko who was unable to score a desired knockout performance tonight praised his opponent for his efforts in the ring.
?He is very confident, a very athletic fighter and with a great right hand,? Klitschko said of his opponent after the bout.
Encouraged by the ardent support of his countrymen and fans, Klitshko vowed another return to the States, which is possibly a dream unification match against the other and only champ of the division, WBC champ, Deontay Wilder, who was at ringside to witness the fisticuffs.
?It?s great to be back in New York, I can?t wait to be back,? said Klitschko.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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