Bryant Jennings


Bryant Jennings is an American former professional boxer. He challenged once for the unified world heavyweight titles in 2015, and the WBA interim heavyweight title in the same year. He holds a notable win over former world heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich.

Amateur career

Jennings had an amateur record of 13–4 including a win over future UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. 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's 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's 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 (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, The Ring world champions|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.

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 Vasiliy 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's 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. This was a highly criticized stoppage with Dimitrenko even saying he was "still able to fight" and that "we are not children"

Jennings vs. Rivas

In his next fight, Jennings faced Oscar Rivas, ranked #10 at heavyweight by the IBF. Jennings outboxed Rivas thourghout most of the fight, however, Rivas, knowing only a knockout could bring him the win, came out swinging in the last round and managed to TKO Jennings after dropping him twice in a row.

Jennings vs. Joyce

In his following fight, Jennings faced Joe Joyce, who was ranked #14 by the WBC at the time. Jennings was the better man in the first round, but after that Joyce took control and dominated through most of the fight. Joyce won the fight on all three judges' scorecards, 118–109, 117–110 and 115–112.

Personal life

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

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
29Win25–4Joel CaudleUD8Aug 24, 2024Metropolitan [Opera House (Philadelphia)|The Met Philadelphia], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28Loss24–4Joe JoyceUD12Jul 13, 2019The O2 Arena, London, England
27Loss24–3Óscar RivasTKO12, 0:54Jan 18, 2019Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.Lost IBF International and WBO–NABO heavyweight titles;
For NABF heavyweight title
26Win24–2Alexander DimitrenkoTKO9, 1:56Aug 18, 2018Ocean Resort Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won IBF International and vacant WBO–North [American Boxing Organization|NABO] heavyweight titles
25Win23–2Joey DawejkoUD10Apr 28, 2018Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won vacant Pennsylvania heavyweight title
24Win22–2Akhror MuralimovTKO3, 1:12Feb 16, 2018Grand Sierra Resort Grand Theatre, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
23Win21–2Don HaynesworthTKO3, 2:29Dec 9, 2017The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
22Win20–2Daniel MartzTKO2, 2:18Aug 19, 2017Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
21Loss19–2Luis OrtizTKO7, 2:41Dec 19, 2015Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.For WBA interim heavyweight title
20Loss19–1Wladimir KlitschkoUD12Apr 25, 2015Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.For WBA (Super), IBF, WBO world champions#Heavyweight|WBO], IBO world champions#Heavyweight|IBO], and The Ring heavyweight titles
19Win19–0Mike Perez12Jul 26, 2014Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
18Win18–0Artur SzpilkaTKO10, 2:20Jan 25, 2014The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
17Win17–0Andrey FedosovRTD6, 3:00Jun 14, 2013Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
16Win16–0Bowie TupouTKO5, 1:37Dec 8, 2012McGonigle Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Retained IBF–USBA heavyweight title
15Win15–0Chris KovalTKO1, 0:35Sep 8, 2012Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
14Win14–0Steve CollinsUD10Jun 16, 2012Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant IBF–USBA heavyweight title
13Win13–0Siarhei Liakhovich9, 3:00Mar 24, 2012Aviator Sports and Events Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
12Win12–0Maurice ByarmUD10Jan 21, 2012Asylum Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won vacant Pennsylvania heavyweight title
11Win11–0Kevin FranklinTKO1, 1:51Nov 19, 2011Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0Alexis MejiasUD6Sep 9, 2011Asylum Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9Win9–0Theron JohnsonUD6Jul 23, 2011Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
8Win8–0Mike MillerUD4Jun 4, 2011The Hamilton Manor, Hamilton Township, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win7–0David WilliamsTKO2, 3:00Apr 23, 2011Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0Theron JohnsonUD6Feb 26, 2011Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win5–0Randy SmithTKO2, 2:18Dec 9, 2010Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win4–0Bernell StewartUD4Jul 30, 2010South Philly Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
3Win3–0Zeferino Albino1, 2:59Apr 30, 2010South Philly Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2Win2–0Jon Bolden3, 3:06Apr 2, 2010The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1Win1–0Zeferino Albino4Feb 26, 2010South Philly Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.