By Eric Thomas: In an article in the Lancashire Telegraph, welterweight Michael Jennings (34-1, 16 KOs) discusses how he injured his ankle while training for his February 21st bout with Miguel Cotto (32-1, 26 KOs) for the vacant WBO welterweight title, saying that he couldn’t run or skip and that he was in pain.
However, the injury has since healed, and he is now ready to meet Cotto in February in a 12-round fight at Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Jennings, 31, the former BBBofC British welterweight champion, is ranked #3 in the WBO, and is looking to pull off an upset over highly favored Cotto.
Cotto, 28, was stopped in the 11th round in his last fight, getting broken down completely by the powerful Antonio Margarito in July 2008, and left a bleeding wreck after quitting. Instead of getting back in line and taking things easy for awhile, Cotto, still ranked high in the WBO despite getting destroyed by Margarito, has decided to get right back in the ring in fighting for another title.
Only time will tell whether or not this is a wise move on his part, because Jennings is a strong opponent who is capable of pulling off an upset if Cotto takes him too lightly. For Cotto, he’s been matched tough in three out of his last four fights, facing Zab Judah, Shane Mosley and then most recently Margarito. The fight was Judah and Mosley were difficult fights for Cotto, as he was hit often and stunned in both fights.
Jennings, as many point out, has faced much less impressive opponents during his 10-year career, yet he’s beaten all of them except for one, losing to Young Mutley by a 12-round split decision in 2006. Aside from that, Jennings has looked nearly unbeatable in defeating his remaining opponents which is why he’s been able to work his way up the ranks to the number #3 spot in the WBO.
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