By Ryan Burton
Heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings understands that American fight fans are frustrated with the lack of action in the upper levels of the division.
HBO's interest in the division appears to be growing with their decision to broadcast fights between Jennings and Artur Szpilka and also Mike Perez's clash against Carlos Takam on their first two fight cards of 2014.
It appears that HBO would like to pair the winners of those fights against each other. Especially if Jennings and Perez, who are the favorites to win, come out with victories. I asked Jennings what he thought about a potential fight with Perez, the next generation of heavyweight contenders and his thoughts on HBO's renewed interest in the division.
"I just think that the game is so desperate that they forget about all the guys they possibly could have. There are a lot of guys overseas holding positions that have never seen American soil. Once somebody gets on tv and looks good then a lot of people get on the bandwagon but I really don't care," Jennings stated while also saying a fight against Perez isn't necessarily a given if they both win their fights. He said that a showdown against heavyweight kingpin Wladimir Klitschko remains the ultimate goal.
"I respect every individual because I know what it takes to get in the ring but I am just not high on him. I will take it to my team and if they think it's a good fit then I will take it. If not then I will fight go over it, fight someone else. I'm trying to get to the top while they are trying to slow it down. I'm still screaming Klitschko's. That the goal. It has to be the goal to try to the top."
In recent years we have seen many fighters get rushed into fights against the Klitschko brothers and most of them weren't adequately prepared for the unique challenge the Klitschko brothers present.
When I brought this up, Jennings insisted that he is ready to fight for a world title and dismissed any comparisons to Ukrainian duo's former challengers.
"First of all I am being compared to his opponents, you get what I am saying? Me being compared to those guys, I'm none of those guys. I'm quite sure there's another guy out there who is on the back burner who is just as good as me but doesn't have the recognition or the initiative or the backing. There are always guys like that out there. Diamonds in the rough that nobodies seen. I just am trying to get out there and show myself," Jennings told BoxingScene.com.
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