Cotto-Jennings...how well can Mike do??

[berealman]

What is the alternative? Ban title holders from fighting supposedly mediocre guys? Allow them to fight catchweight fights against badly faded old men for fight after fight? Cotto is coming off a devastating loss. He is taking on a highly ranked contender. No problem with that.

Jennings may be unfashionable, fighting a contender from your own division (one who has boxed other men in the division over a period of time) may be unfashionable. Yet we do need these type of fights to take place. Otherwise you sit there watching guys like Moore, Froch (until recently) and every British fighter who deserves a shot sitting around watching the world and his, smaller, uncle get a shot at the titles they contend for.

People cannot bitch and moan about bodies cooking their rankings to accommodate lighter/smaller/retired men, only to then throw the toys out of the pram when a ranking guy, one who has worked for that ranking, gets a shot at a title.

Terry, I think your Mancunian bias is getting the better of you here. Just how has Jennings 'worked' for that ranking ?
We don't need these types of matches to take place at all - mismatches are what gives boxing a bad name, as well as the 'badly faded old men' that you reference.

The issue I have with this fight, is that Jennings' does not deserve to be in WBO top 10 (its not his fault though), and the sport is devauled by this. In his own mind, I'm sure he thinks he's world class, and maybe he is, though I've not seen anything to suggest that he is. One things for sure,
he will be in superb shape for this chance - he's a hungry fighter, though I do see him getting beaten, as he's not boxed top level guys before. He's had a very sheltered career, and thus the impressive record.

Cotto stops him with body shots - 3 rounds.

[berealman]

What is the alternative? Ban title holders from fighting supposedly mediocre guys? Allow them to fight catchweight fights against badly faded old men for fight after fight? Cotto is coming off a devastating loss. He is taking on a highly ranked contender. No problem with that.

Jennings may be unfashionable, fighting a contender from your own division (one who has boxed other men in the division over a period of time) may be unfashionable. Yet we do need these type of fights to take place. Otherwise you sit there watching guys like Moore, Froch (until recently) and every British fighter who deserves a shot sitting around watching the world and his, smaller, uncle get a shot at the titles they contend for.

People cannot bitch and moan about bodies cooking their rankings to accommodate lighter/smaller/retired men, only to then throw the toys out of the pram when a ranking guy, one who has worked for that ranking, gets a shot at a title.

Terry, I think your Mancunian bias is getting the better of you here. Just how has Jennings 'worked' for that ranking ?
We don't need these types of matches to take place at all - mismatches are what gives boxing a bad name, as well as the 'badly faded old men' that you reference.

Jennings is from Chorley, Woolly-back territory. I have never interviewed him, raved about him, or advocated he is the best in his division.

I said the same things about Pavlik-Lockett. It may be a mismatch. Yet Clay-Liston was seen to be a mismatch (not a great analogy I know) and it panned out differently. Whether you like it or not Jennings is ranked by an organisation, and has been given a shot. We would howl with rage if someone with more popularity was over looked for a title shot.

I am actually relieved that fights like this take place, it reminds me of the idea of contention, no matter how badly abused the idea has become. One fight with Jennings and then Margarito sounds perfectly sensible to me. It is also quite just. It may prompt other title holders to dip into their top ten every so often. You never know, we may one day get someone gutting out a division the way guys like Hagler did, mixing smaller fights with big fights.

disagree - a fighter should earn the right to fight for World title by taking on legitimate contenders (i.e eliminator). Jennings' has had a lot of soft matches.

[Captain Hook]

He's a good fighter with good ability but Cotto is too strong.

I see him lasting until the mid-rounds before being broken down, but I'll be cheering for him.

Had pleasure of interviewing him a few times and he is a lovely bloke. Good luck Mick....

[berealman]

An earlier entry does say that it isn't Jennings fault that he's number 3 in rankings. I won't write to the WBO as the proof in whether he is a legitimate contender will be answered on 21st February. Jennings beat Pryce. Mutley beat Jennings. Muttley was beat by Anderson, who was beat by Mcyntyre. Mac was stopped by Brook in one round.

I didn't say Jennings wasn't world class, just that I'd not seen anything to suggest he is.
Jennnings has been wrote off mostly onthe boxing websites, so if he wins a lot of people
will be eating humble pie

[ogsie]

Jennings may not have a big punch but he has the energy to go 12 rounds with anyone. However he must hope that Cotto is still suffering from his last fight. We must also remember that Jennings is the WBO No1 contender so he deserves this big pay day with cotto

[black panther]

To be fair I think he's what, 31 now? Hardly time to build up your career - he might as well go for it and sure most likely he'll get beat, and beat bad but theres a small chance he could cause cotto a few problems. Even if he's gets beaten easily at least he can say he fought one of the best in the world - no shame in coming up short against a fighter like that. He could well still be unbeaten right now so its not like he's found his level. I think its worse to never test yourself and fight anyone remotely world class your whole career whilst going unbeaten.

well said mate

You're both missing the point... the contention among most on here is that it should never have reached this stage and Jennings should have been brought along at a better pace throughout his career to date.
However, glad you're happy to watch 'fights' like Lockett Vs Pavik

If everyone had your attitude, Rocky Balboa would have never been champ D

Seriously though you're right Jennings career to date has been a waste - he should have held the european title by now (ironically now held by someone Jennings beat easily) and perhaps fought a couple of fringe world level guys, someone like
Hlatshwayo, Lujan or even good old Baldomir. I get your view but sometimes these matches have to happen - some guys just don't have promotional clout behind them to get the fights they need/want so if they get a "shot" they might as well take it. As Ian says once in a blue moon the underdog turns out better than anyone could have expected. I remember a few years back people complaining about Gianluco Branco gettinga shot at Gatti - he ended up giving Gatti a helluva fight. Not saying that will happen here (I think its probably Cotto - Gomez all over again) but you can never be 100% what will happen once that bell sounds.

[Deserter]

If everyone had your attitude, Rocky Balboa would have never been champ D

Seriously though you're right Jennings career to date has been a waste - he should have held the european title by now (ironically now held by someone Jennings beat easily) and perhaps fought a couple of fringe world level guys, someone like
Hlatshwayo, Lujan or even good old Baldomir. I get your view but sometimes these matches have to happen - some guys just don't have promotional clout behind them to get the fights they need/want so if they get a "shot" they might as well take it. As Ian says once in a blue moon the underdog turns out better than anyone could have expected. I remember a few years back people complaining about Gianluco Branco gettinga shot at Gatti - he ended up giving Gatti a helluva fight. Not saying that will happen here (I think its probably Cotto - Gomez all over again) but you can never be 100% what will happen once that bell sounds.

I guess a large part of my frustration here is that I actually really like Jennings, both as a person (based on what I've read/heard) and as a boxer, and if he'd been developed properly I could envisage him enjoying success at European level at least.
I can't envisage a scenario where he could beat Cotto, but better preparation would have enabled him to give a better account of himself and subsequently allow him to sustain his career.
Instead, he's going from obscurity into a beating and then back to obscurity again.

[E]

Although I'm reticent to make predictions at the time, ashamed as I am about how badly I got it wrong with MAnny-OScar, I think the fight will be like Paul Lloyd - Barrera or Richie Wenton (I Think?) - BArrera

[Damian]

Jennings is a genuinely great lad. The comments on this thread expressing frustration that he hasn't been guided through the European route towards this fight are just a small fraction of the same frustrations that Michael and his team feel. He has consistently sold a lot of tickets wherever he has fought, has faced - and beaten - anyone put in front of him (Muttley loss aside) and been ready to fight far, far more regularly than he has been scheduled to do so.

He should have been pushed after his comprehensive dismantling of Takaloo last April. He has been offered this Cotto fight and has accepted it, like he has done with any other fights put before him. He is a fighter and he just wants to do his job. It is, as always, politics which gets in the way. Rest asured that he will prepare as thoroughly as he always does and will go out there ready to do himself proud.

[jayc]

I cant believe the amount of discussion this is causing because so many people think he is unworthy? He has lost one (disputed) fight and beaten British, Commonwealth and European champions - get a grip. He deserves his shot as much as anyone - and i'm sure he'll surprise a lot of the people saying he has no hope. Good luck to him.

[Deserter]

I cant believe the amount of discussion this is causing because so many people think he is unworthy? He has lost one (disputed) fight and beaten British, Commonwealth and European champions - get a grip. He deserves his shot as much as anyone - and i'm sure he'll surprise a lot of the people saying he has no hope. Good luck to him.

You can't believe the amount of discussion He deserves his shot
You're the one who needs to get a grip fella.

Damien, on a far more positive note, perfectly fair points and can believe it's down to politics etc. I don't think he deserves this shot and am clearly worried about the consequences, but that doesn't mean I don't want him to acquit himself well

[DAVE2005]

consequences,gomez was made for cotto and yes he was beaten easily but hes still boxing.cottos a great fighter no doubt ut hes not a machine.

[THEBUTCH]

You often see the body shots end these matters when boxers step up out of the league.

[whicker]

I think we have to see this for what it is- a "comeback" fight for Cotto. sure, Jennings is a good boxer, but clearly the logic behind this WBO "World" title fight is to get Cotto back a belt and back to winning ways.

I mean- I really hope Jennings can pull this off, but we need to be honest and say that isn't part of the "script."