Michael Jennings has been delving into the history books ahead of his clash with Kell Brook – and says he’s fired up at the thought of another Lancastrian victory over Yorkshire. Jennings challenges for his old British welterweight title against young gun Brook on October 30 at the Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool in a mouth-watering title clash. The fight pits Lancashire (Jennings) against Yorkshire (Brook) in a modern day War of the Roses..
And 32-year-old Chorley star Jennings says that he’s found inspiration in the travails of Tudor England ahead of the fight – after visiting his local library.
There, the former world title challenger found plenty of literature on the bloody battles between 1455 and 1487 which culminated in victory in the War of the Roses for the house of Lancaster.
“Everyone keeps billing this as a War of the Roses battle, so I thought I’d find out a bit more about the history of it all,” said scholarly Jennings.
“Some of the historic documents I unearthed at my local library were absolutely fascinating and brought a whole era back to life.
“There was one story about an older knight who had to take on a young pretender in a jousting competition.
“Everyone expected the youngster to win easily – but it was the greater experience of the older knight that proved the key to victory.
“It was inspirational stuff and made me proud to be going out there and fighting for Lancashire on October 30 against the old enemy.
“Kell’s a great champion, but when I go to war I don’t think any boxer in Britain can live with me.
“I may have been putting in some hours at the library, but I’ve been virtually living in the gym and I don’t think I have ever been in better shape.
“Kell’s been talking about knocking me out when we fight in Liverpool, but the red rose of Lancashire will be flying high on October 30.”
Tickets priced at £30 (Tier), £40 (Tier), £50 (Tier), £100 (Floor), £150 (Floor) and £200 (Ringside) are available from:
Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.accliverpool.com
McAllister to get the once over
Commonwealth Champion Lee McAllister will have an unexpected and interested visitor when he makes the first defence of his Lightweight Title against Charlie King at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen on Saturday night.
Casting a watchful eye over McAllister will be Bernard Roos, Manager/Promoter of current European Champion Anthony Mezaache.
Roos is making the long trip fro his home in Geneve, Switzerland to assess whether he will sign the contract offered by Tommy Gilmour & Barry Hearns Matchroom Sport for the Frenchman Mezaache to box McAllister.
McAllisters Manager Tommy Gilmour says:
“Matchroom have made Mezaache a great offer but his manager, the wiley Bernard Roos, is aware of the progress made by Lee since he boxed John Murray for the Title and he wants to see what McAllister has to offer when he is under pressure from someone like Charlie King.”
Gilmour pointed out that having Roos there will put added pressure on Lee and it is important that he doesn’t look further than Saturday as King is in the best shape of his life and knows a win can give him a catapult into big fights.
The Commonwealth Title fight which is being shown live on the Internet on 110sport.tv is the most important fight of McAllisters career as a win could set up a rematch with Muray.