“My opponent has only chance to leave this ring, as a loser and there is no other option. So failure is not an option” Wladimir Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko has reigned supremacy over the heavyweight for the last 11 years as he is currently riding a 21 fight winning streak. During that string of victories, Klitschko picked up the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO World heavyweight titles in the process. It’s come to a point where any and all, opponents with a “good” record, are being hyped up as a “worthy” challenger. Wladimir has cleaned out all the competition in Europe, now setting his sights on the good ol’ USofA. With Bryant Jennings up next, Wladimir may just be one the greatest heavyweights, ever, “you can compete with me but you cannot win because I do not allow you to do that. For the last 9 years I have been thee heavyweight champion of the world.” stated Klitschko.
As Wladimir prepares to invade America on April 25th, respect and gratitude is deserved when discussing the career of Wladimir Kiltschko. With 63 wins in 66 fights, Klitschko has come a long way from the fighter that was 2-2 between the years of 2003-2004, a far cry from the war torn Soviet Union. In Jennings, Klitschko may be facing a small heavyweight by today’s standards. However, Jennings could possibly be the most athletic fighter Klitschko has faced in his illustrious career. But it’s where Jennings comes from that may be his biggest advantage to ending Klitschko’s reign on the heavyweight division.
Bryant Jennings hails from the hardened streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philly is home too numerous current and former, world champions, having garnered respect as one of the greatest boxing cities, ever, “He’s been defeated before and he can be defeated again. I’m confident I have the athleticism and skills to come out on top and bring those belts back home to America.” stated a confident Jennings.
While Klitschko trains in Miami, Jennings has moved his camp to Houston, TX as he understands the importance of this fight and the distractions training at home will bring, “This is the top of the mountain when it comes to heavyweight boxing. You can’t get any higher then fighting Klitschko. With that being said, I’m ready to end Klitschko’s reign as heavyweight champion.” stated Jennings.
Regardless of Klitschko’s physical stature or pure dominance, his brain and way of thinking has carried him to the top of the mountain, “It’s something that makes me excited because I do my homework. I prepare it in a very specific and systematic way. I have created a system which works very well,” stated Klitschko. Wladimir is also a member of UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Klitschko also holds a PhD in Physical Sports and Science, “My training routine has been developed through the experience that I started with at 14. It made me to create a system that works for athletes and works also for any other person who is not really involved in top sport but wants to stay fit and be fit. It’s simple: Find a goal, be disciplined, and know the system,” says Klitschko.
As April 25th approaches, both fighters prepare with same aspirations, just many years apart. Klitschko’s dream started at age 14, “I’ve been reading this book so many times.” Klitschko is referring to Robinson Crusoe, the castaway title character of Daniel Defoe’s classic 18th-century novel, “My motivation was to get out. I just wanted to see the world. You had to be a politician or an athlete to travel outside of the Soviet Union and to cross the border. As a regular citizen you couldn’t make it. So I decided okay, I’m too young to be a politician, but for an athlete it’s just perfect,” stated Klitschko. Jennings, a late bloomer to the sport at age 30, mimics the same views as Klitschko, “A victory against Klitschko will certainly bring back glory to the American heavyweight. Klitschko has reigned supreme for so many years, so it will be a huge accomplishment to bring home the titles. Dethroning Klitschko will open up many doors for my career and I see myself relishing in the moment.”
If the moment couldn’t get any bigger for Jennings, the bout will take place at the legendary Madison Square Garden, “Everyone knows The Garden is filled with deep roots in boxing history. I’m looking to make my own history with a victory on April 25th. This will be my third consecutive fight there and I feel my fan base has grown with each outing. I know Philly will be representing and I’m excited about that,” says Jennings. The Garden is no problem to Klitschko has this will be his 4 bout in the historical venue nor is his opponent has he has sights set on bigger things, “I’m trying to unify the last belt that my brother held, the WBC belt,” he says of the title, which is held by Deontay Wilder, the first American heavyweight champion since 2006.
Klitschko vs. Jennings, a 12-round bout for Wladimir’s WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO World heavyweight titles, will take place at “The World’s Most Famous Arena”, Madison Square Garden, on April 25, 2015. The event will be televised Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT in the United States and RTL in Germany.
