By Ian S Palmer
Two undefeated heavyweight will slug it out at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday, July 26 when American Bryant Jennings takes on Mike Perez of Cuba. The round bout can be seen on HBO in North America and on BoxNation in Great Britain. Jennings last bout was a 10th-round stoppage over Artur Szpilka in New York in January while Perez battled Carlos Takam to a majority draw in January.
The 29-year-old Jennings of Philadelphia will enter the ring with a record of 18-0 with 10 Kos while the 28-year-old Perez, who now resides in Cork, Ireland, has a mark of 20-0-1 along with 12 Kos. Jennings stands 6-feet-2-inch with Perez being slightly shorter at 6-foot-1. Jennings has fought 90 rounds as a pro with Perez going 88 rounds so far. The major difference between the two is the fact Perez is a southpaw. This bout is being billed as a WBC eliminator with the winner hoping to get a shot at champion Bermane Stiverne.
Jennings has only been boxing for about five years and has quickly made a name for himself in the sport and is considered a genuine contender for the heavyweight title and one of America’s best current heavyweights. He has an 84-inch reach which he uses to affect and is quite workmanlike in the ring with decent power. However, he usually wears his opponents down by going to the body rather than land a big knockout shot even though he’s stopped his last four opponents.
Perez had an excellent amateur career as he’s got some smooth boxing skills, and also matches Jennings in the power department. He’s quite mobile and has fine hand speed with most of his power coming from his left hand. He’s very adaptable in the ring and is equally comfortable at throwing power shots as he is at boxing. His power shouldn’t be underestimated by Jennings though, since he will go after an opponent once he’s got him reeling.
Jennings likes to press the action and move forward, but Perez could keep him at bay with a stiff right jab. Both guys have good chins so it’s going to have to be a hell of a shot right on the button to hurt either one of them. Jennings will need to take the fight to Perez right from the opening bell and initiate the action while attacking Perez’s body. Perez can’t afford to sit back and let Jennings carry the action if he hopes to win. He needs to let his hands go when he has the chance and make sure Jennings doesn’t outwork him to take the rounds on the scorecards.
Prediction
This is a good matchup between two legitimate prospects. If they’re both at the top of their game this could be a highly-entertaining bout. Jennings will try to throw his punches in bunches as he usually does while Perez will either decide to negate him with his boxing skills or oblige him and slug it out. It’s a close one to call, but Jennings seems to have a little bit more fire in his belly and he should outwork the Cuban enough over rounds to earn a relatively close decision.
