When problems arose for the NBC Sports Network Fight Night debut on Jan. 21 at the Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia, Bryant Jennings (12-0, 5K0s) stepped up. When he heard Eddie Chambers was pulling out of the card due to injury, Jennings offered to replace him. As it turned out, the main event contest became a toe-to-toe brawl with Jennings defeating fellow-Philadelphian Maurice Byarm, instead of Chambers’ original opponent, ex-WBO world heavyweight champion Sergei Liakhovich (25-4, 16K0s).
On March 24 in Brooklyn, NY, Jennings will finally face Liakhovich. A win over Liakhovich could put Jennings in the top 15.
If you told Jennings a year ago how much his career would change, he probably would not have believed you. He went from fighting 6-rounders on non-TV cards to being a 10-round main event on a national television network. This type of opportunity does not come often to many fighters.
The young 27-year-old Jennings (left) has nothing to lose going into this fight. He is more athletic than Liakhovich, but the experience levels between the two fighters are polar opposites. When you look at Liakhovich’s resume, you see names like world champions Nikolay Valuev, Shannon Briggs and Lamon Brewster. Now take a look at Jennings’ resume and you see prospects and journeymen Maurice Byarm and Alexis Mejias.
Jennings, though; is fearless and enjoys doing the unexpected. He takes it upon himself to execute on opportunities he is given.
At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Jennings cannot be grouped with the current heavyweights. He is cut from the same cloth the heavyweights of the 1970’s and 80’s, in body type. It’s hard to find a heavyweight today who isn’t named Klitschko who has body definition and athletic ability.
Jennings is one of the hardest-working fighters around. He practically lives at the ABC Recreation Center at 26th & Master Streets. He is more focused then most fighters and he places his career and son before anything. His 3-year-old-son, Mason, is his entire world and Jennings is dedicated to being not only a great father but a strong influence in Mason’s life.
When I first met Jennings, I did not know what to expect. Fighters seem to get side-tracked easily. Few have their heads on straight. Jennings is just the opposite. He is set on succeeding, working a full-time job as well, making sure he is doing everything possible to excel. Not just in boxing, but in life.
The author is a Temple University graduate who is now a part of Peltz Boxing. Follow us on twitter @Peltzboxing and our intern @bamonboxing
Buy Tickets to Richard Pierson’s Upcoming Fight and Win a Pair Of Signed Boxing Gloves
Team Pierson recently announced they will be giving away a pair of boxing gloves signed by super middleweight prospect Richard Pierson to a randomly drawn winner.
To be eligible to win the pair of gloves simply buy a boxing ticket to Pierson’s upcoming fight from Lou Esa at Winning Method Management—9 Hansen Place, Wayne, NJ 07470—973-885-7962.
The winner will be drawn and announced on April 1.
About Pierson, Esa says, “Richard is probably one of the most devastating punchers I’ve ever worked with. This kid can hit you with either hand that’ll put you on Queer Street. He is determined to win a championship, and I think he will. This kid is not going away silently; in fact he isn’t going away at all. He is someone to be reckoned with, and nobody wants to fight him now.”
Pierson has the talent, power and drive to work his way up the middleweight rankings and can find himself going to battle for a belt by the end of the year.
In his last outing February 17, Pierson finished off Anibal Acevedo at the conclusion of the first round with a devastating right hook to the body.
At the moment Pierson’s opponent is TBD, but the fighter is anxiously waiting stepping between the ropes again.
Throughout his career Pierson has faced much adversity; countless times he has trained and prepared for a fight only for it to fall through.
When asked about the ticket raffle for signed gloves Pierson said, “Honestly I wish I can take every pair of gloves off after I fight and hand them to a young kid, a supporting fan or even somebody who is out there and didn’t come to see me, they just came to support boxing; but the promoters won’t allow us to do that. But nobody can stop me from giving the fans something from my heart.”
Pierson has established himself as a top middleweight fighter with serious implications on making a title run by the end of 2012.
For tickets for Richard Pierson’s road to a middleweight title fight, call Lou Esa at Winning Method Management at 973-885-7962 or visit the gym at 9 Hansen Place, Wayne, NJ 07470.
Tickets are $50 for general admission; $100 for ringside; $200 for VIP ringside (front row seat and coupon for concession stand). The doors open at 5:30 and the first fight begins at 7 p.m.
The Robert Treat Hotel is located at 50 Park Place, Newark, NJ.
To stay current with all of Team Pierson’s latest news visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-TP-Pierson-Fan-Page/251954198152149.
For tickets to this fight and to win a pair of signed autograph gloves, call Lou at 973-885-7962.
Pro Boxer Michael Oliveira Three-Time Outstanding Brazilian Athlete in U.S
Brazilian Rocky
Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira
MIAMI (Mar. 14, 2010) – Undefeated middleweight prospect Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira (17-0, 12 KOs) has been selected as the winner of the Brazilian International Press Award’s Outstanding Brazilian Athlete in the United States winner for the third straight year.
The 21-year-old Oliveira, rated No. 13 by the World Boxing Council (“WBC”), is the reigning WBC middleweight champion. The charismatic boxer was born in Sao Paulo but moved to Miami when he was two weeks old.
Oliveira won the 15th edition of the Brazilian International Press Awards in 2011, edging UFC star Anderson Silva by 24 votes. The group nominees also included past Indy 500 winning driver Helio Castroneves, as well as NBA players Nene Hilario and Anderson Varejao, marathoner Luiz Souza, motorcyclist Ramyller Alves and MMA fighter Rodrigo Minotauro.
“I’d like to thank all my fans for supporting me with their votes,” a humbled Oliveira said. “Being nominated with all of these great Brazilian athletes is an honor in itself; to win this prestigious award for the third straight year is truly unbelievable. I may live in the United States but Brazil remains No. 1 in my heart. No matter what the outcome of any Brazilian sporting event, including boxing, despite everybody taking it very seriously, the show always ends with Samba music and partying.”
Oliveira’s father and president of his M.O. Productions boxing promotional company, Carlos Oliveira, recently announced that Michael will fight Brazilian living legend, four-time world champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas, on June 2 at Conrad Punta Del Este and Resort Casino in Uruguay.
The Brazilian International Press Awards ceremony will be held May 14 in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Go to www.MichaelOliveira.com for more information about Michael.