Jennings Looking To Upset Cotto; Evans, Munroe-Martinez – Boxing News

By Boxing News - 01/27/2009 - Comments

jennings334Fresh off the back of Shane Mosley’s surprise KO win over Antonio Margarito at the weekend, Michael Jennings has promised to deliver another welterweight shock when he fights Miguel Cotto next month. Chorley based Jennings will challenge Cotto for the WBO World Welterweight crown at New York’s Madison Square Garden on February 21.

And the 31-year-old says that Mosley’s ninth round stoppage in LA on Saturday night has been an inspiration.

“A lot of people thought that Margarito would walk right through Mosley, but the fight proved that anything can happen in boxing,” said Jennings, who has a 34-1 (16) record and is a former British and current WBU World champion.

“It was a cracking fight, but there was always a danger that Margarito could be given a bit of a boxing lesson because he gets hit so much, and that’s what Mosley did to him.

“I’m looking for another upset when I box Cotto and I’m confident that will happen. He’s got two arms and two legs like everyone else, he’s not some superman.

“And who knows how much his loss against Margarito has taken out of him.

“This is the kind of fight I’ve been dreaming about for years, and it’s a fantastic opportunity that I plan to grab with both hands.

“Going out to New York and meeting Cotto at the press conference has given me confidence as well.

“Before you fight someone you tend to build them up in your head as some kind of monster, but standing toe to toe with Cotto I realised he’s no different from me – and a bit smaller!

“I’ll have a height and reach advantage when I fight him and that will suit me down to the ground.”

Hot new signing Bradley Evans to make pro debut

Bradley Evans believes he has made the right decision in turning professional rather than waiting another 4 years for a crack at Olympic glory.

The 2008 featherweight ABA champion from Royston has signed professional terms with Hennessy Sports and has no regrets at not living the Olympic dream. Evans makes his pro debut on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s European Lightweight title defence in Norwich on February 28. Although still only 19 the teenager believes the time is right to switch codes.

“I could have waited for the London Games but so many things can happen,” said Evans. “You could get a bad decision in a qualifier or you could qualify and then pick up an injury just before the Games. It’s too much of a risk and I’d have gone stale waiting until 2012.”

Instead Evans is leaving behind a glittering amateur career that saw him win the Junior ABA’s and Four Nations Gold in 2007 before winning last year’s Senior ABA’s, where he also picked up the best boxer of the night award. “I think my style is a lot more suited to the pro game anyway and I’m really looking forward to getting my career started now.”

Evans will be in the capable hands of leading pro trainer Tony Sims and he says he’s already been put through his paces in the gym. “The training’s definitely a lot harder in the pro’s. It’s a much more physical game and it’s a completely different sport from the amateurs. I’m really enjoying it though and I’ve been sparring seasoned pro’s and champions like Lenny Daws so you can only learn from sharing the ring with guys like him.”

Evans isn’t making any bold predictions about his pro career just yet but is quietly confident about his future. “At the moment I’m happy to take it one fight at a time and work my way up. I think I can go all the way but I know there’s a lot to learn. I’m still young so there’s plenty of time and I know if I put in the hard work the rewards will come in the end.”

Tickets for Evans debut on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s European title defence at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich on the 28th February are available from the Ticketline box office on 0871 424 4444 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.

RENDALL THE SPENDER

RENDALL MUNROE has spent £5,000 to make sure it is all right on the biggest night of his boxing life.

The Leicester dustman defends his European super-bantamweight title at Barnsley Metrodome on Friday February 27 when he faces mandatory contender Kiko Martinez in a rematch.

Munroe, 28, won the title when he outpointed the Spaniard (20-1) in a huge upset last March and has made three successful defences.

Southpaw Munroe (17-1) is taking no chances and promoter Frank Maloney said: “I think this camp is costing Rendall a few grand, but this is a tough, tough fight.

“Rendall has forked out a small fortune importing sparring partners from Europe and also brought in Gary Davies who recently beat Martin Powers.

“Gary is ideal sparring. Just like Martinez he carries a heavy dig with the overhand right.

“There is no doubt that this is the most important fight of his life and one he must win to move on to the next level.

“Martinez is world class and if Rendall come through well then there could be a big fight for him in May that will capture the public’s imagination.”

Maloney managed to get home advantage, but Martinez and his manager Father Ted lookalike, Pat Magee insisted the fight take place outside the East Midlands.

Maloney added: “Even though Barnsley is fair trek from Leicester, plenty of Munroe’s fans have bought tickets and he is becoming more and more popular.”

In the chief supporting contest Munroe’s stable Scott Haywood (19-2) moves into world class when he challenges WBC ranked number three Ajose Olusegun for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title.

Tickets for the show priced £35 and £75 are available from 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com



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