'I've had new life breathed in to me' - Michael Jennings interview

They say as one door closes another door always opens. This, as we know, is not always the case in the noble art of boxing. Fights fall through and people get left on the shelf. For Michael Jennings (36-2, 17KO's) however, things have actually turned out quite nicely.

One could forgive him for banging his head against a wall as a fight with Kell Brook fell through (again). Thankfully it has been announced that Michael will take on Londoner John O'Donnell for the vacant British welterweight crown.

The fight, due to take place at the Preston Guild Hall on July 3rd will end seventeen months of treading water since Jennings suffered a fifth round stoppage at the hands of modern day legend Miguel Cotto. Jennings (right), in his thick Lancashire accent, sounded extremely confident as he discussed his upcoming fight.

“What can I say? He (Brook) has pulled out with sore ribs this time. I was gutted at first, I really want the Brook fight but then I found out that I was still fighting for the British title. I really want that belt outright, that would be great. Obviously I'm not fighting Kell Brook but hopefully I can get that fight next, that's the fight the public really want to see. But first up it's John O'Donnell and I am not looking past him.”

O'Donnell as we know, has always been groomed for stardom and was seen as one of Mick Hennessy's top up and coming boxers. Still, all the big words from ringside observers could not stop him getting knocked out against Mexican journeyman Christian Solano at the MGM Grand in May 2007 (LTKO2) on the night Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya topped the bill in arguably the biggest fight of the decade.

O'Donnell was able to rebound, as all great champions do, and in April 2009 he was able to dethrone Craig Watson for the Commonwealth belt. It could be argued that that particular night posed more questions than the answers it gave. Most people scored the fight for Watson, it was even stated in certain circles that the stench of the decision permeated all the way up the M1. Jennings however has nothing but respect for his future opponent.

“I have seen a couple of his fights and I won't be underestimating him. Yes, the Watson fight was controversial but to push Watson close anyway is a good result, Watson is a really good fighter. O'Donnell is a tall, rangy southpaw but he sometimes gets dragged into a brawl. We will see how it goes on the night.”

One thing that Jennings will be bringing on that particular night is the experience of sharing the ring with some high quality operators in his eleven year career. Top domestic pugilists such as Bradley Pryce and Takaloo have been dispatched, while Jennings famously fought for the WBO title against Cotto. Michael feels the experience of battling Cotto will hold him in good stead come July 3rd.

“It's hard to explain, I just feel that the whole experience helped me, the big fight, the build up, the press conferences, the training beforehand. Yes, I got stopped for the first time ever, amateur or pro, but it really has helped me, I just feel a better fighter."

The question remains however, did that fight take anything out of Jennings? Despite coming back with two victories in the intervening period, Jennings has yet to mix in championship class since his big night. Those body shots were brutal and despite the fight going only five rounds (as opposed to a twelve round hammering) one wonders if any miles have been put on the clock? You have to remember, Jennings actually came, fought and took his lumps, unlike Gary Lockett when he fought Kelly Pavlik around the same period, who seemed eager to get the night over with, get his pay cheque and retire (Very harsh - Ed.). Jennings is adamant that there are no such problems with his tank.

“You have to remember that I am always in the gym, always fit. You look at some fighters after 30 and they seem to be shot. Then you have other fighters who are a lot fresher, like Mayweather. I know how good I feel, to be honest I feel as good as I did five years ago. We have made a few changes in camp and it has breathed new life into me and training is going great, I just feel so fit and fresh.”

Still, it has to be argued that this is the biggest fight of his life. Win and he goes on to bigger and better things, the sky's the limit. Lose and he drops down to the level of other domestic contenders, and at the age of 32 that is never a good thing. If Jennings did succumb to his third pro defeat, may he even call it a day? Daft question, Jennings isn't even contemplating such thoughts.

“I'm not even going down that road. If I start talking about that it means I have started thinking about it. I have never been one to think about defeat, I've never been like that. It's not arrogance, I have never been a big talker, maybe that's one of my faults but I just have confidence in what I can do.”

As previously mentioned, this show will be taking part in Preston, the city in which Michael was born and a stones throw from his residence in Chorley. Jennings certainly has home field advantage, as the Americans would say. Though the support will be vocal, Jennings does not believe that the crowd will be able to influence the outcome, but he is happy that the fight is in Preston for other reasons.

“I am made up about the fight being in Preston, I love the fact that the fans follow me and support me, it's flattering. But really when the first bell goes it's me, my opponent and the referee. I'm just happy because it means that the fans have a five minute walk to the arena, they don't have to travel on trains, cars or planes, they don' have to pay for hotels. I am really happy about that.”

Finally we moved on to what the future holds for the man who is desperate to regain that British title he first won when he knocked out gypsy warrior Jimmy Vincent in one brutal round all the way back in 2005. Jennings, true to character had no big words, just a statement of intent.

“I'm just looking at my next fight against John O'Donnell, that's what I have always been like. Yes, I would love to get the belt and retain it. European shots and world title shots would be great but let's get this O'Donnell fight done first!”

If the O'Donnell camp were looking to hear that Jennings was in a form of semi-retirement, looking after his security company and basically edging towards the end of his career they will be sadly disappointed. Jennings sounds as focused as ever. If John O'Donnell intends to wrench that title away from Michael Jennings he had better put in a performance better than anything we have seen from him so far. British boxing waits with baited breath to see if he can. The 'Lurcher' is primed, ready and waiting to attack his prey.