Bryant Jennings vs Oscar RIvas

[Cent0089]

Should be entertaining HW bout. Always liked Jennings. Does not saw much of Rivas.

[dagilechia]

I favour Jennings in this one

[tiny_acres]

Jennings has to be a huge favorite in this fight

[oogiebe]

Rivas can smack. Jennings better be on this best, movement wise.

[candyslim]

Dear God I hope it's vastly more entertaining than Rivas's recent(ish) fight against Herve Hubeaux. Of course it will be. It couldn't not be

Actually it should be an interesting match between two heavyweights hampered more by lack of physicality rather than ability (and eye problems in Rivas's case of course). Rivas being short and Jennings lacking bulk.

[SportsRatings]

Jennings has to be a huge favorite in this fight

Really? Rivas is an olympic-level boxer--he beat Pulev and lost to gold medalist Cammarelle. He hasn't really stepped up the competition which is a problem, while Jennings has faced very tough opponents in his career but lost to the only really great fighters he faced. His recent win over Dimitrenko only says so much.

Rivas is kind of a poor-man's Luis Ortiz, who was "unknown" until he was suddenly the next great contender. People were asleep on Ortiz and likewise this could be Rivas' breakthrough. He's a lot shorter than Ortiz, but a lot younger too.

I think the comparable fight is Jennings vs. Mike Perez, a split decision win for Jennings and that's about what I see happening here. That fight would have been a draw if not for a weird point deduction, and I think this one could be that close.

[oogiebe]

Jennings has to be a huge favorite in this fight

Really? Rivas is an olympic-level boxer--he beat Pulev and lost to gold medalist Cammarelle. He hasn't really stepped up the competition which is a problem, while Jennings has faced very tough opponents in his career but lost to the only really great fighters he faced. His recent win over Dimitrenko only says so much.

Rivas is kind of a poor-man's Luis Ortiz, who was "unknown" until he was suddenly the next great contender. People were asleep on Ortiz and likewise this could be Rivas' breakthrough. He's a lot shorter than Ortiz, but a lot younger too.

I think the comparable fight is Jennings vs. Mike Perez, a split decision win for Jennings and that's about what I see happening here. That fight would have been a draw if not for a weird point deduction, and I think this one could be that close.

Rivas' development was slowed by injuries, most notably with his eyes. He is a big puncher and sound boxer. I wouldn't count him out and Jennings is also stepping up here, let's not forget. His last fight was a ko over a physically old and inactive Dimitrenko.

[gilgamesh]

Interesting bout. I favor Jennings in this one as he's definitely tested at a higher level. This will give us an idea of whether or not Rivas is a legit contender or even fringe contender or not. If he's a threat to the guys at the top in any way he'll be able to get past Jennings. I suspect he won't though.

[oogiebe]

Interesting bout. I favor Jennings in this one as he's definitely tested at a higher level. This will give us an idea of whether or not Rivas is a legit contender or even fringe contender or not. If he's a threat to the guys at the top in any way he'll be able to get past Jennings. I suspect he won't though.

It's amazing how many times I'm on the odd end of these threads lately.

[gilgamesh]

Interesting bout. I favor Jennings in this one as he's definitely tested at a higher level. This will give us an idea of whether or not Rivas is a legit contender or even fringe contender or not. If he's a threat to the guys at the top in any way he'll be able to get past Jennings. I suspect he won't though.

It's amazing how many times I'm on the odd end of these threads lately.

I mean Jennings is no world beater so it wouldn't be the most shocking thing in the world if he beat him, I just think Jennings is probably better.

[oogiebe]

Interesting bout. I favor Jennings in this one as he's definitely tested at a higher level. This will give us an idea of whether or not Rivas is a legit contender or even fringe contender or not. If he's a threat to the guys at the top in any way he'll be able to get past Jennings. I suspect he won't though.

It's amazing how many times I'm on the odd end of these threads lately.

I mean Jennings is no world beater so it wouldn't be the most shocking thing in the world if he beat him, I just think Jennings is probably better.

I'm not arguing. We know more about Jennings, but not much. HIs two losses were against top fighters and a bit long ago. (three years?). I've followed Rivas, and lately he's not knocking people out, but his opponents were surviving rather than fighting.

[candyslim]

Interesting bout. I favor Jennings in this one as he's definitely tested at a higher level. This will give us an idea of whether or not Rivas is a legit contender or even fringe contender or not. If he's a threat to the guys at the top in any way he'll be able to get past Jennings. I suspect he won't though.

Having been tested at that higher level is a significant advantage if you passed the test. I don't know if that holds true if you failed the test?

I guess failing both tests is experience whichever way you look at it and it was the very toughest of examinations. Maybe we have learned more about where Bryant stands in the hierarchy from his wins than from his defeats.

I think this is a tough one to call which is exactly how I like my match-ups as I'm sure we all do.

[Onetimeonly]

I thought Jennings performed well in both losses. Failed is an extreme description, more like found his place. Should be more than Rivas can reach.

[candyslim]

I'm not intending any disrespect to Jennings but the test is basically win or lose. Losing is failure however you want to dress it up.

Maybe that sounds harsh but I already acknowledged that both were the very toughest of examinations and he performed to the best of his ability. There is no disgrace in coming up short against Klitschko or Ortiz.

[Onetimeonly]

Not harsh, silly.

[candyslim]

Silly to regard winning as success and losing as failure? If you say so.

[funso banjo baby]

Jennings is one of my fave hw's.

im sure theres bigger and better stuff to come from him.

Rivas has been protected for a long time. He's short and stocky, shouldn't be able to reach Jennings too much.

points win.

a ko for either would be impressive

[oogiebe]

Jennings is one of my fave hw's.

im sure theres bigger and better stuff to come from him.

Rivas has been protected for a long time. He's short and stocky, shouldn't be able to reach Jennings too much.

points win.

a ko for either would be impressive

I'm actually looking forward to this fight, as we'll know what each fighter is really about. Jennings has the skills, but Rivas can really hit. Head says Jennings; heart says Rivas. We'll find out soon enough!

[tiny_acres]

Jennings is one of my fave hw's.

im sure theres bigger and better stuff to come from him.

Rivas has been protected for a long time. He's short and stocky, shouldn't be able to reach Jennings too much.

points win.

a ko for either would be impressive

I pick Jennings by a clear ud.
Jennings is just not a knock out fighter. He lacks power but has speed and skill

[Onetimeonly]

Silly to regard winning as success and losing as failure? If you say so.

Yes, you should listen to me more.

[candyslim]

I can't promise

[Lackeos]

I also favor Jennings by decision. If he wins this, it is not a substantial improvement over his existing wins; but it's improvement enough that he should be considered moderately deserving of a title shot. Not ahead of Pulev, Miller, or Whyte; but otherwise he should be maybe 4th or 5th in line. I wish Rivas had done more as a professional before fighting Jennings -- like beating someone with an approximately #55 rank.