Bryant Jennings


Bryant Jennings is an American professional boxer. He has challenged once for the unified world heavyweight titles in 2015, and the WBA interim heavyweight title in the same year. Jennings holds notable wins over former world champion Siarhei Liakhovich, as well as former world title contenders Mike Perez and Artur Szpilka.

Amateur career

Jennings had an amateur record of 13-4.
He reached the finals of the 2009 National Golden Gloves tournament, losing by decision to veteran Lenroy Thompson.

Professional career

Early career

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’ 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.
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.
Jennings controlled the fight with his jab and power punches. He won the fight after Liakhovich retired at the end of round nine. Jennings then faced Steve Collins 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.
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.
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' 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.

World title challenge

Jennings vs. Klitschko

Jennings faced heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on April 25, 2015 in Madison Square Garden for the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles. 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. After the fight, Klitschko admitted that this was one of his hardest fights in years.

Jennings vs. Ortiz

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.

Comeback

After not fighting for over a year following the Ortiz loss, Jennings signed with Top Rank. 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 Vasyl 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’ next fight took place on April 28, 2018, where he beat Joey Dawejko by unanimous decision over ten rounds.

Jennings vs Dimitrenko

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.

Personal life

Jennings is Muslim, and has been a vegan since August 2013.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
28Loss24–4 Joe JoyceUD12Jul 13, 2019 The O2 Arena, London, England
27Loss24–3 Óscar RivasTKO12, 0:54Jan 18, 2019 Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.Lost IBF International and WBO–NABO heavyweight titles;
For NABF heavyweight title
26Win24–2 Alexander DimitrenkoTKO9, 1:56Aug 18, 2018 Ocean Resort Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won IBF International and vacant WBO–NABO heavyweight titles
25Win23–2 Joey DawejkoUD10Apr 28, 2018 Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won vacant Pennsylvania heavyweight title
24Win22–2 Akhror MuralimovTKO3, 1:12Feb 16, 2018 Grand Sierra Resort Grand Theatre, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
23Win21–2 Don HaynesworthTKO3, 2:29Dec 9, 2017 The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
22Win20–2 Daniel MartzTKO2, 2:18Aug 19, 2017 Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
21Loss19–2 Luis OrtizTKO7, 2:41Dec 19, 2015 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.For WBA interim heavyweight title
20Loss19–1 Wladimir KlitschkoUD12Apr 25, 2015 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.For WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles
19Win19–0 Mike Perez12Jul 26, 2014 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
18Win18–0 Artur SzpilkaTKO10, 2:20Jan 25, 2014 The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
17Win17–0 Andrey FedosovRTD6, 3:00Jun 14, 2013 Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
16Win16–0 Bowie TupouTKO5, 1:37Dec 8, 2012 McGonigle Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Retained IBF–USBA heavyweight title
15Win15–0 Chris KovalTKO1, 0:35Sep 8, 2012 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
14Win14–0 Steve CollinsUD10Jun 16, 2012 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant IBF–USBA heavyweight title
13Win13–0 Siarhei Liakhovich9, 3:00Mar 24, 2012 Aviator Sports and Events Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
12Win12–0 Maurice ByarmUD10Jan 21, 2012 Asylum Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won vacant Pennsylvania heavyweight title
11Win11–0 Kevin FranklinTKO1, 1:51Nov 19, 2011 Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0 Alexis MejiasUD6Sep 9, 2011 Asylum Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9Win9–0 Theron JohnsonUD6Jul 23, 2011 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
8Win8–0 Mike MillerUD4Jun 4, 2011 The Hamilton Manor, Hamilton Township, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win7–0 David WilliamsTKO2, 3:00Apr 23, 2011 Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0 Theron JohnsonUD6Feb 26, 2011 Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win5–0 Randy SmithTKO2, 2:18Dec 9, 2010 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win4–0 Bernell StewartUD4Jul 30, 2010 South Philly Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
3Win3–0 Zeferino Albino1, 2:59Apr 30, 2010 South Philly Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2Win2–0 Jon Bolden3, 3:06Apr 2, 2010 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1Win1–0 Zeferino Albino4Feb 26, 2010 South Philly Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.