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Bryant Jennings is a
confident guy. His entire career, and even his life, seems
to be an exercise in discipline and the application of the
belief system he’s developed over his 33 years on Earth.
Jennings is known for his tremendous work ethic, a lifestyle
that sends him to the gym religiously, whether he has a
fight on the calendar or not. Jennings became a vegetarian
in 2014 and went full vegan the following year. This is not
a widespread practice by boxers, but Jennings swears by the
move and has never looked back. He believes his already
exquisite conditioning was enhanced by the new life style.
It seems that Jennings,
22-2, 13 KOs, constantly tests himself and pushes to be
stronger, more focused and generally the very best he can
be. Others talk the same game, but Jennings clearly lives
it.
 When
he speaks of his exploits in the gym, on the running course,
at the grocery store, away from the bedroom, and in the
neighborhood streets, you are never completely clear if he’s
talking specifically about his career or about his life in
general. For Jennings looks at the world as an obstacle
course designed to challenge him, both in and out of the
boxing ring.
On Saturday night,
Jennings meets fellow-Philadelphian Joey Dawejko in a
heavyweight 10-rounder at the Liacouras Center, in the
unofficial main event on a big card that features a world
championship bout (Isaac Dogboe vs. Jesse Magdaleno), and an
NABF title contest (Jesse Hart vs. Demond Nicholson) at the
top of the show. Everyone in town, however, is buzzing about
Jennings-Dawejko.
This is the best Philly
vs. Philly boxing contest seen in years, and hopes are high
that the actual fight will match not only the on-paper
prospects it promises, but also equal the enthusiasm of fans
who are rapidly buying tickets.
This sudden acceptance
of the idea of two Philadelphia fighters facing off flies in
the face of popular social media talk that states
Philadelphians should not pick on our own. Fans usually
express a preference for local fighters only taking on
out-of-towners. However, feelings appear to be changing now
that the fight is a reality.
The two fighters,
different in so many ways, also disagree on the necessity of
this bout. Jennings believes that all the risk is his, and
feels he has nothing to gain from a win over Dawejko. Joey
sees the match as his ticket to the next level, as well as a
chance to reveal his full potential. So, Dawejko is all for
the Philly vs. Philly clash. Jennings not so much.
From Jennings’
perspective, the fight is particularly fascinating. His
professional identity has always been that of the
over-achieving new comer, light on experience but big on
effort. Through his rise, he delivered again and again with
good a attitude and hard work. However, this wasn’t enough
when he faced Wladimir Klitschko and Luis Oritz in his two
biggest fights to date.
But Jennings came away
from his lone defeats whole, understanding that he wasn’t
supposed to win either time, even though he believed that he
would. Not pulling a monster upset can be a natural grain of
salt for a person in the aftermath of a setback. However, a
loss to Dawejko would earn no such pass.
Joey Dawejko has yet to
prove himself to be on the level of a Wladimir Klitschko or
Luis Oritz. And so, for the first time in a significant
fight, Jennings is the one with the better experience and
every physical advantage. Therefore, the pressure is on him
to deliver big against Dawejko.
Jennings has subsisted
on confidence, and seems to have plenty to spare. However,
an assignment like this one will truly test Jennings in ways
he’s never seen before. In Dawejko, Jennings will be in with
a guy that he’s supposed to beat, but he may need more than
conditioning and confidence to do it.
During his rise,
Jennings had the drive to work past his limitations. He
grinded out a knockout win over Artur Szpilka and edged Mike
Perez using heart. However, the mindset of a rising fighter
is different from that of one rebounding from defeat.
Some believe that
Dawejko has the natural skill to foil Jennings. That is, if
he’s in shape to do it. A big “if” according to many, but
still, it is the story of this fight. Over-achiever Jennings
against under-achiever Dawejko. The result seems clear on
paper, but sometimes these things eventually even out.
Still, Jennings has
always done everything in his control to prepare for and
perform in a fight, and it is unlikely that he’ll be any
different on Saturday night. The big questions are What Joey
Dawejko will he encounter? And is Bryant Jennings’ game more
than just conditioning?
That’s what makes this
fight special. We think we know the answer, but in boxing
you never really do until the bell rings.
I spoke to Bryant
Jennings while he was in training camp in Florida.
HOW
DIFFERENT IS YOUR TRAINING WHEN YOU ARE PREPARING FOR A
FIGHT?
I train just about every day anyway. The only difference
to me is the focus, the mindset and pretty much no sex. Even
though I start my no sex thing way early, not just for this
particular fight, but my mindset in general.
DO
YOU ABSTAIN FROM SEX FOR PHYSICAL OR MENTAL REASONS?
Studies show that there are physical advantages based on
the amount of testosterone that your body builds up. So,
seven days no sex, pretty much increases your testosterone
levels about 43%.
HOW
DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS MATCH-UP?
The match-up is… (Groans). This fight is dangerous. I
look at it as dangerous because it is detrimental to image
if I don’t deliver. So pretty much, I have everything to
lose, while he has everything to gain. This fight pretty
much does nothing for me. So, I need to handle my business
and do what I’m supposed to do. That’s pretty much it.
IS
THERE NOTHING THAT YOU CAN GAIN FROM BEATING DAWEJKO?
This is the heavyweight division. A lot of the
heavyweights of today – Joshua, Fury, Wilder – they are much
taller than him. This particular fight here serves no
purpose other than the purpose it is supposed to be serving,
Philly vs. Philly, and him just trying to put a smudge on my
legacy.
WHAT
ARE DAWEJKO’S STRENGTHS?
He has a little slickness to him, but it doesn’t last. I
can be either fighter - safe fighter, defensive fighter, or
offensive fighter, and make it look ugly. I’ve been in all
different types of fights, even in a fight with someone as
skilled as Mike Perez. He was a southpaw. I’ve been in
fights that I would compare with Joey Dawejko, but these
fights were 12 round fights. These fights were on big
stages. This fight here is the biggest stage that Joey has
ever fought on.
DO
YOUR AMATEUR FIGHT & LATER SPARRING WITH HIM MEAN ANYTHING
NOW?
No! Listen, I started boxing (in the gym) in January
(2009), and had my first fight January 31st. Then
I fought Mark Rideout February 24th. Then I
fought Joey Dawejko on like April 24th. So I
didn’t even know what I was doing. I wasn’t even competitive
at that point. I was just trying to find my way into this
new sport.
AND
WHEN YOU SPARRED?
The time that we sparred, I don’t think he was in shape.
And I don’t think my intentions were to put it on him. So we
can’t really judge. I know he didn’t do a damn thing. So
that’s about it.
WHAT
DO YOU EXPECT FROM HIM IN THIS FIGHT?
We’ve seen him fight so many times. It’s kind of the
same thing, but I didn’t fight him so many times. I
always make sure I approach it different than what you
(normally) see. I’ve seen a lot of my opponents fight and
the way I approached it was way different than what I was
used to seeing. So that’s how I’m going to go in there.
Adjusting, doing what I need to do. Just seeing what I have
in front of me. But based on him seeing him fight, I don’t
expect too much more than what we’ve seen. Now that’s not
saying that we don’t see nothing. We do see things. We see
good things and we see bad things. But I don’t expect
anything more or less than I’ve ever seen in him before.
DO
YOU CONSIDER HIM A PUNCHER?
I don’t consider him a puncher, but every heavyweight
goes for the punch. That’s probably where the four draws and
four losses came from (on his record). He keeps going to the
punch. You have to make sure you fight the fight
scientifically. Boxing is a science. So, offense, defense,
ring movement, picking your spots, not necessarily going for
the punch. I can imagine if I was a person that goes for
knockouts, how many more knockouts I would have. I can
immediately name five guys off the top of my head that I was
probably 25 seconds away from knocking out. Going through
the learning process, it just wasn’t what I went after. As
far as him, being that puncher, everybody has their punch. I
don’t take that away from him, but I don’t give it to him
either. It should be an exciting fight. I’m going to come in
shape. I hope he comes in shape, in better shape. It is what
it is. I’m just punching the clock.
HOW
DO YOU FEEL ABOUT FIGHTING ON THE BIGGEST PHILLY SHOW IN
YEARS?
If I let it get to me, it would be added pressure. But I
don’t feel it right now. I’m composed. I stay composed. I
promise you, I’m not thinking about that aspect. It’s
something to promote, but that just adds on more pressure. I
think it just makes a difference to who I’m fighting, and it
makes a difference to the people, but it shouldn’t make a
difference to me.
SO
IT’S JUST ANOTHER FIGHT TO YOU?
I’m going about this the same way I go about every
fight. I fought at Madison Square Garden in front of 17,000
people. I had a lot of the City and a lot of the people
there rooting for me, but I didn’t even hear it. I blocked
it out. I’m in the ring and I’m focusing on the fight. I
don’t let the crowd control me ever.
HAS
YOUR STYLE OR ABILITIES CHANGED SINCE FIGHTING FOR THE
TITLE?
The Klitschko thing brought me more confidence. Not only
confidence for me, I had to make everyone else believe that
I can do something. Maybe not offensively, because I never
had fought a guy over 6’ 5”before. It was kind of difficult
for me offensively to be able to believe in doing certain
things.
SO
YOU GAINED MOSTLY CONFIDENCE?
I fought Szpilka, Perez, Klitschko, and Ortiz, and that
was a hell of a run. All of that back-to-back-to-back. I’ve
gotten better at seeing things more. My defense is still
tight, processing certain things. My speed is still there.
Everything is maintained. You know, you’re getting older. So
things aren’t only supposed to be getting better, they are
supposed to be wearing a little bit. You’re getting older,
so maintaining is just as good as improving. But as far as
boxing ability, the jab, picking your punches, knowing when
to let your hands go. Just knowing when to do certain
things. It has improved a lot, but I just can’t pinpoint
exactly where, because it’s an overall thing. It’s the
experience that I gained. After every experience, you get
better. Also being in camps with world class fighters,
beating their ass. It’s just all around improvement.
DO
YOU THINK YOUR PERCEIVED AS A BETTER FIGHTER NOW THAT YOU’VE
BEEN IN THERE?
What they all misinterpret is my power. That’s not what
they are looking for. So I can understand somebody looking
and saying ‘he still looks a little raw around the edges, he
does this sometimes, he makes these type of mistakes, and he
doesn’t have a lot of knockouts. The only thing he brings to
the table is athleticism and conditioning’. But you got to
understand that the power is there and a lot of people are
surprised with that because on top of the athleticism and
conditioning they have to deal with this.
HOW
LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A VEGAN?
Since the beginning of the Klitschko camp I became
vegan, but way before Szpilka, I was vegetarian. That last
piece of chicken I ate was August of 2013. I stopped eating
all meats in August of 2013. Then I let go of my last fish
and eggs during the Klitschko camp.
DO
YOU SWEAR BY THE CHANGE?
Yes. It also has its long-term benefits. It’s like
anything in the world that’s not good for you. Once you get
educated or gain knowledge about something that you
shouldn’t be doing, it only makes you stupid to go back. Or
it makes you weak in a sense that you gave in and now you’re
doing something that you said you wouldn’t do again.
IS
BEING VEGAN ALSO A FORM OF DISCIPLINE FOR YOU?
Yes, it’s discipline. It has mental benefits. You’re
looking at a person that can actually give up three months
no sex, even with the amount of women that’s optional to me.
I can give up three months, four months, no sex, no
masturbating, not eating the foods I was used to eating,
waking up making sure that I do whatever I set my schedule
to do. I’m the type of person that I’m going to do it.
That’s a different type of mentality. Patience, discipline,
and all these other things are some of the things that I’ve
accumulated by not eating meat. Just more discipline.
DOES
FIGHTING FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA TITLE MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?
They added that? I’m not paying no sanctioning fees for
that shit! No, no. I never cared about that. I have never
brought any of the belts that I’ve acquired – USBA or the
Pennsylvania State Title – out in another fight. No, no, no.
I don’t like that. I know they are doing that to sell it
more, make it more eventful, but it does nothing for me.
IS IT
BECAUSE YOU’VE FOUGHT FOR THE WORLD TITLE ALREADY?
All of that shit is ridiculous and out of this world.
I’ve stood on corners that we called our corner for years,
and the new owners of the buildings said we can’t stand on
the corner no more. So whose corner was this? Was it the
City’s corner or was it the homeowner’s corner? It was never
my corner. Once you get the understanding of that, nothing
is ever yours. Even like the heavyweight world championship.
It’s yours, but the shit don’t mean nothing. Tyson told you
that. It don’t mean nothing.
NOTHING?
It carries more money. For instance, Canelo never needed
a belt. As long as you have one million people watching you
on TV, and let’s just say 20,000 people that come to watch
you (live). Why would you need a belt at all? You’re doing
what you’re doing, and you’re doing it at this level. I
don’t want labels. I don’t fight for labels. Labels are
given to you. You don’t fight for it. I’m fighting so I can
be the best. People want to tell you you’re the best, but
you’re only the best to some people. You (have to) fight for
yourself.
DO
YOU STILL WANT TO WIN THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE?
To be champion of the world still motivates me, because
that’s what I started out for. You’re not going to change
your whole strategy three quarters of the way in.
IF
YOU BEAT DAWEJKO, DOES IT MOVE YOU CLOSER TO ANOTHER TITLE
SHOT?
I just want to progress in my career, progress what I’m
doing. Frankly, this is my business career, my job. This is
my bread and butter. I want to be able to progress, learn
how to live, which I’m learning. Creating opportunities for
my family. Creating a legacy of discipline, hard work,
ambition and drive. World championships come with more
money, but the money ain’t going to make me. You think I’m
going to cry if, God forbid, anything goes wrong and Joey’s
hand gets raised?
WHAT
HAVE YOU LEARNED MOST FROM BOXING?
You have to remember to keep yourself in this mission.
Keep yourself. Don’t lose it. I don’t lose myself, and I
don’t want to lose the people I came up with. I don’t want
to lose nothing. I understand that I’m on a hell of a
journey, and I’m learning different things. So you might
lose people in that process, but don’t ever lose yourself. I
don’t ever want to lose myself. I know who I am. I know what
I want to accomplish, and I know what is accomplishable.
Being heavyweight champion of the world is accomplishable. I
know I can accomplish that goal. You got to keep your eyes
wide open. And don’t let it get you because it will, and it
will tear you up, and it will tear the people around you up.
You won’t have any more relationships and nobody won’t ever
like you. Then you’ll be living in a world full of fake
friends, and friending people you thought you’d never be
friends with. You just got to be careful.
HOW
IMPORTANT IS BOXING TO YOU AT THIS POINT IN YOUR LIFE?
These things are just part of my journey, and part of my
journey requires for me to do my best. Do what I can do. Do
what I practice to do. Create this legacy. Create these
footprints. That way, these things can be imprinted in
history. Have a legendary status. That way people can pay
attention to you and take notes and you can just live
forever. |
