https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFJzb1fB8dE
By Michael Montero: This afternoon just a few blocks away from Madison Square Garden heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and undefeated challenger Bryant Jennings worked out for the media. The two big men square off at the Garden Saturday night as part of an HBO Championship Boxing broadcast. For Klitschko it marks his ring return to the USA, where he hasn’t fought since outpointing former titlist Sultan Ibragimov in 2008. For Jennings, from the nearby fighting city of Philadelphia, this will be a quantum leap in opposition.

Jennings arrived first around noon and kept his workout brief. The challenger was relaxed and jovial and looked to be in tremendous shape, with hardly an ounce of fat on his 6’3” frame. There was only some light stretching, bouncing around the ring and shadowboxing, coupled with a little trash talk when the champion entered the venue prepared to being his workout. After maybe ten minutes in the ring, Jennings (19-0, 10KO) climbed out and talked to the media, taking his time to speak with as many folks as possible. The fighter they call “By-By” gave off a confident, professional and prepared demeanor throughout. No doubt fans can expect a great effort from the challenger come Saturday.

Next it was time for the champion to enter the ring. Klitschko’s workout was more thorough; after getting his hands wrapped in the ring he went through an extensive warmup routine that focused on rounds of head movement, upper body movement, lateral movement, footwork and shadowboxing. At this point the Ukrainian superstar worked the mitts with his trainer Jonathan Banks for several rounds. The champ broke a good sweat and wasn’t playing around on the mitts; the punches moved Banks around the ring had the attention of photographers ringside. The entire Klitschko team was in the ring with him, timing each round of exercise and running the routine like a well-oiled machine. No doubt this group has gone through this routine countless times, and Saturday night they look to add another defense to Klitschko’s historic reign.

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