Bryant Jennings | |
---|---|
Jennings in 2013 | |
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | September 25, 1984
Other names | By-By |
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
Reach | 84 in (213 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 29 |
Wins | 25 |
Wins by KO | 14 |
Losses | 4 |
Bryant Jennings (born September 25, 1984) is an American former professional boxer. He challenged once for the unified world heavyweight titles in 2015, and the WBA interim heavyweight title in the same year. He holds a notable win over former world heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich.
Jennings had an amateur record of 13–4 including a win over future UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. He reached the finals of the 2009 National Golden Gloves tournament, losing by decision to veteran Lenroy Thompson. [1]
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's 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's 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 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]
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]
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 Vasiliy 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's next fight took place on April 28, 2018, where he beat Joey Dawejko by unanimous decision over ten rounds.
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] [ citation needed ]
In his next fight, Jennings faced Oscar Rivas, ranked #10 at heavyweight by the IBF. [12] Jennings outboxed Rivas thourghout most of the fight, however, Rivas, knowing only a knockout could bring him the win, came out swinging in the last round and managed to TKO Jennings after dropping him twice in a row. [13]
In his following fight, Jennings faced Joe Joyce, who was ranked #14 by the WBC at the time. [14] Jennings was the better man in the first round, but after that Joyce took control and dominated through most of the fight. Joyce won the fight on all three judges' scorecards, 118–109, 117-110 and 115–112. [15]
Jennings is Muslim, [16] and has been a vegan since August 2013. [17] [18]
28 fights | 24 wins | 4 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 14 | 2 |
By decision | 10 | 2 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
29 | Win | 25–4 | Joel Caudle | UD | 8 | Aug 24, 2024 | The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
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. |
John Ruiz is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2010, and held the WBA heavyweight title twice between 2001 and 2005. Ruiz is of Puerto Rican descent, and is the first Latino boxer to win a world heavyweight title.
Hasim Sharif Rahman is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1994 to 2014. He is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having held the unified WBC, IBF, IBO and lineal titles in 2001; and the WBC title again from 2005 to 2006. He was ranked as a top 10 heavyweight by BoxRec from 2000 to 2007, and reached his highest ranking of world No.6 in 2000.
Alexander Vladimirovich "Sasha" Povetkin is a Russian former professional boxer who competed from 2005 to 2021. He held the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title from 2011 to 2013; the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title from 2020 to 2021; and challenged twice for the unified heavyweight championship in 2013 and 2018.
Michael Sprott is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2018. At regional level, he held multiple heavyweight championships, including the British and Commonwealth titles in 2004; and challenged three times for the European title in 2005, 2010 and 2011; and won the Prizefighter series in 2010 and 2013.
Alexander Viktorovych "Sascha" Dimitrenko is a Ukrainian-born German former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2019, and held the European heavyweight title from 2010 to 2011.
Samuel Okon Peter is a Nigerian professional boxer. He held the WBC heavyweight title in 2008, when he stopped Oleg Maskaev in six rounds. In his prime, he was known for his rivalry with the Klitschko brothers, having faced Wladimir twice and Vitali once. Peter was named among the 20 greatest athletes in the history of independent Nigeria by The Punch in 2023, while his capturing of the WBC heavyweight title was ranked the 26th most memorable moment in independent Nigeria's sports history by Premium Times in 2020. He was ranked by The Ring among ten best heavyweights at the conclusion of a year from 2005 to 2008, reaching his highest ranking of world No.2 in 2007. Peter is known for his punching power and holds a 78.9% knockout-to-win ratio.
Shannon Briggs is an American former professional boxer who competed between 1992 and 2016. He held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title from 2006 to 2007. Briggs was known for his formidable punching power and aggression, possessing an 88.3% knockout-to-win rate with 37 knockout wins in the first round.
Bermane Stiverne is a Haitian-Canadian professional boxer. He held the WBC heavyweight title from 2014 to 2015.
Edward Chambers is an American former professional boxer. He challenged once for a unified world heavyweight title in 2010. He was ranked as the fourth best heavyweight in the world by The Ring at the conclusion of 2009. A defensively-oriented fighter, Chambers has been widely credited for his counterpunching skills and particularly praised for his hand speed and footwork. He has also been one of the first heavyweights with ability to switch between fighting orthodox and southpaw.
Kubrat Venkov Pulev is a Bulgarian professional boxer. He has held the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title since 2024. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the European title twice between 2012 and 2016. As an amateur, he won multiple medals at international tournaments, including gold at the 2008 European Championships and bronze at the 2005 World Championships, all in the super-heavyweight division. He also represented Bulgaria at the 2008 Olympics.
Óscar Andres Rivas Torres is a Colombian professional boxer. He held the WBC bridgerweight title from 2021 to 2023. He also challenged for the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title in 2019, and previously held the IBF International, WBC-NABF and WBO-NABO heavyweight titles. As an amateur, he won a silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games.
Derek Chisora is a Zimbabwean-British professional boxer. He has challenged twice for the WBC heavyweight title in 2012 and 2022. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the British and Commonwealth titles from 2010 to 2011, and the European title from 2013 to 2014. As an amateur, he won the ABA super-heavyweight title in 2006. He holds a notable win over world heavyweight champion Kubrat Pulev.
Boxing in the 2010s includes notable events about boxing which occurred between 2010 and 2019. The decade saw high intensity action in the welterweight division. The match between veterans Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao broke PPV records. The broadcast of the fight in the Philippines was watched by nearly half the country's households. Mayweather retired at a record 50-0-0 while Pacquiao became the first eight division champion. The middleweight division saw immense action in the later years of the decade. After a draw in 2017, Canelo Alvarez ended Gennady Golovkin's long reign in 2018. The heavyweight division was dominated by Klitschko brothers before Wladimir's loss to Tyson Fury in 2015. Other talents that emerged were Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksander Usyk.
Andrés Ponce Ruiz Jr. is an American professional boxer. He is a former unified world heavyweight champion, having held the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles in 2019. He also held the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title during that reign.
Mariusz Wach is a Polish professional boxer. He challenged once for the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against Wladimir Klitschko in 2012.
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Bryant Jennings, billed as The Champion Returns, was a heavyweight fight for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles. The fight took place on April 25, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Luis Ortiz is a Cuban professional boxer. He held the WBA interim heavyweight title from 2015 to 2016, and challenged twice for the WBC heavyweight title in 2018 and 2019. As an amateur, he won a silver medal at the 2005 Boxing World Cup. Nicknamed "The Real King Kong", he is known for his formidable punching power. As of November 2021, he was ranked as the world's eighth-best active heavyweight by The Ring magazine and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.
Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko, was a professional boxing match contested on 29 April 2017 at Wembley Stadium in London, with Joshua's IBF and the vacant WBA (Super) and IBO heavyweight titles on the line. Joshua won the match via technical knockout (TKO) in the eleventh round with 90,000 fans in attendance. Klitschko announced his retirement from boxing a few months after the fight. The bout was named Fight of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Hasim Rahman, billed as "X-Plosive", was a professional boxing match contested on 13 December 2008 for the IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight championship.