Klitschko vs. Jennings: BoxingScene Staff Predictions

By Jake Donovan

It’s like old times in boxing again. The sport is once again being showcased on network TV and now the heavyweight championship of the world is being contested Madison Square Garden.

Wladimir Klitschko is responsible for the latter, returning to the United States for the first time in more than seven years as he faces unbeaten Bryant Jennings at the famed New York City venue. HBO is along for the ride to televise the action.

The last time Klitschko (63-3, 53KOs) fought in the U.S. in fact came at Madison Square Garden, where he outpointed Sultan Ibragimov over 12 awkward rounds. The bout served its purpose in adding another belt to Klitschko’s collection, the first of two unification title fights would win over the course of his current reign, which just passed nine years on April 22.

His 17 consecutive defenses of at least one alphabet belt is good for third on the all-time list, behind only Joe Louis (25) and Larry Holmes (20). Along the way, Klitschko also gained recognition as the World lineal heavyweight champion by virtue of his 9th round stoppage of then-unbeaten Ruslan Chagaev in June ’09. Ten lineal championship defenses have followed, as he is coming off of a one-sided 5th round knockout of previously unbeaten top contender Kubrat Pulev last November.

Jennings (19-0, 10KOs) doesn’t come in with anywhere nearly that amount of shine, but brings a different perspective to the heavyweight landscape. The unbeaten contender from Philadelphia came up big in back-to-back wins on HBO in 2014, both taking place on MSG grounds.

His network debut came last January, outslugging Artur Szpilka en route to a 10th round stoppage at MSG Theatre. Six months later came Jennings’ first fight in the main room, scoring a 12-round split decision over Mike Perez in a battle of unbeaten heavyweights. The win was actually supposed to lead Jennings to a shot at the title currently held by Deontay Wilder, but instead opted for the main prize.

Can Jennings send shockwaves through the industry and put his athleticism to good use in upsetting Klitschko? Or will it be more of the same for the reigning heavyweight champion, arguably the most dominant in the history of the boxing’s most storied division?

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes tonight’s action plays out.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO vs. BRYANT JENNINGS

Ryan Burton (Klitschko TKO5): Jennings is athletic and a good boxer but Klitschko is just a freak of nature and seems to have grown a little bit of a mean streak his past few fights.

Jake Donovan (Klitschko TKO8): If Jennings had better – or any – defense, I’d like his chances a lot more. From a pure athletic standpoint, he could pose plenty of problems for Klitschko. The fact that he’s there to get hit, and that Wlad is actually more assertive these days, combines for a deadly mix.

David “Always Briefing” Greisman (Klitschko TKO): There's that old saying about how everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. Well, everyone seems to think they can beat Wladimir Klitschko until they get in the ring with the heavyweight champion. Jennings is better than some of the woeful challengers Klitschko has taken out over the years, but his speed and athleticism still won't be enough against Klitschko's savvy, skill and strength. Jennings will land a few. Klitschko will still take him out.

Peter Lim (Klitschko TKO5): One need only look at the records to know that this is a man-versus-boy type mismatch. Klitschko has almost three times as many knockouts as Jennings has fights. Like most of Klitschko's opponents, Jennings will get clobbered by the telephone jab all night before being flattened by the battering ram right.

John MacDonald (Klitschko mid to late KO): Jennings is legitimate heavyweight contender but will struggle to get past the jab of the champion. Wlad will outbox him before stopping later in the fight.

Takahiro Onaga (Klitschko KO5): Complete mismatch. Jennings is lamb to slaughter.

Cliff Rold (Klitschko KO): Jennings still thinks too much in the ring and he doesn't have the pop to scare the champ.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Klitschko TKO5): Wladimir Klitschko by Nasty KO early.

Francisco Salazar (Klitschko TKO10): I think Jennings will have some success early, maybe even winning some of the early rounds because of his quickness and being able to get inside of Klitschko's long reach. Klitschko will begin timing Jennings coming in. Klitschko might be able to drop Jennings in the later rounds, eventually breaking him down before his corner or the ref eventually ends up stopping the fight.

Victor Salazar (Klitschko mid TKO): Klitschko’s reign will continue this weekend. Jennings is a formidable opponent but is almost at a disadvantage in every category minus speed and youth. He has also been dropped by a lesser opponent than the king of the division. I think we see the Klitschko that came out last time and blitzed Pulev stopping Jennings in the mid rounds.

Alexey Sukachev (Klitschko TKO9): Jennings is a weaker version of Pulev - he is a good fighter but he has nothing to offer Klitschko like many others. I expect a prolonged beating (depending on Bryant's chin) either a TKO, or a refusal during the last quarter of the fight.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox