Mick Jennings (merged)

[Gazmac81]

Interesting wee story from News of World

good to see a Fairytale ending ( cant see it though )


MICHAEL JENNINGS: MY TORMENT



TRAGIC - Michael Jennings' brother Raymond, who died from heroin addiction in December 2000
14/02/2009

MICHAEL JENNINGS will pay a poignant visit to the graves of his two brothers this week and then board a plane to try and become a most unlikely world champion.

The 31-year-old British welterweight star has seen his older brothers suffer painful deaths — Stephen to leukaemia and Raymond to heroin addiction.


Then, in October, it became a triple tragedy when his close friend Neil Hardy died after being hit by a lorry.

Stabbed
Jennings himself cheated death when he was stabbed in the back by a thug on a moped as he walked through Manchester’s Chinatown.


And the Chorley scrapper admits: “My life is filled with tragedies. I must have a black cloud above my head.”


His once-in-a-lifetime WBO title fight in New York’s Madison Square Garden later this month is against formidable Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.


Jennings is an 8-1 underdog to beat a man destined for boxing’s Hall of Fame.


And the Brit adds: “Even when I get a world title chance it’s against bloody Cotto! No worries, though. To be the best you have to beat the best.”

Cemetery
Jennings, the second youngest of eight children, was just five when Stephen died at the age of 19. Raymond was beaten by his demons just over eight years ago.


And before Jennings jets off to the Big Apple on Saturday, he will visit the cemetery in Chorley.




TRAGIC - Stephen Jennings died of leukaemia at just 19He said: “On the day of each fight, or as close as I can if I’m fighting away, I visit the graves of our Stephen and our Raymond.


“When we found out Raymond was on drugs, it was like someone had died. At the time I’d only ever heard about heroin through the film Sid and Nancy.


“There was a few of his mates on the gear and they all fell into it after being into the rave scene. He got into heavy drugs and it evolved from there, getting worse and worse.

Illness
"He boxed and was a really good footballer but he had to give up because of a bad knee and that is when he fell into that horrible world.


“People don’t realise it’s an illness like alcoholism. A lot of people don’t see it like that and think you’re just a smack head. I’m still proud of him.


“My parents, Margaret and Raymond, have had it really hard. When I beat Cotto I’m going to buy mum a new house — although knowing her she won’t want one.”


Jennings had known Neil Hardy — known as Ned — since school days. They were both members of punk band The Shoks.


Former British and WBU champ Jennings added: “With Ned it was mad. When I found out he’d been killed it was devastating.”

Curse
The curse struck again in 2001 on night out in Manchester with fellow fighter Michael Gomez and older brother Dave in May.


Jennings recalled: “Two lads on mopeds started shining their lights on us. We just kept walking and thought nothing of it.




TRAGIC - Punk band The Shoks, with Michael Jennings (in cap) and crash victim Neil 'Ned' Hardy (second from right)
“Next thing I felt something in my back and I thought I’d been punched. I turned round and there were these guys with helmets.


“I was ready to say, ‘Let’s have it’, but before I could do that I was covered in blood.


“Before I knew it Gomez had been slashed and my brother was hit on the head with a truncheon.To this day I don’t know what it was about.

Knife
“The doctors thought the stabbing had punctured my lung because the knife went in a couple of inches, but I was fine after having eight stitches.”


Jennings’ torrid life makes facing Cotto, 28, appear easy, but few give him much hope. However, the man who wants to become a greyhound trainer when he retires is in the mood to pull off one of boxing’s greatest upsets.


He said: “People are writing me off completely, but anything’s possible. He’s like any other man — he has two hands, two legs and a head.”

[Mooresy]

All the best to u Mick, if anyone deserves a happy ending it's you and your family pal.

[teddy007]

What a top lad, and I can relate to his story with his mates and brother on smack. Good luck!!!!

[steve689]

Revealing interview in the Boxing News showed what a likeable guy he is. It's a huge ask against Cotto in the US but I wish him the best of luck

[jayc]

Good luck mick, i honestly think you have the boxing skills to pull off an upset. Do yourself proud mate.

[hitman09]

Best of luck, seems a nice guy but its a nearly impossible task. Cotto hasn't been beaten by anyone in a FAIR fight and I doubt it'll happen now. His best chance will be if Cotto still suffers the after effect of the beating Margacheato gave him.

[banjo]

Best of luck to Jennings, he's a decent guy but this is a huge step up in class for him. I know Cotto fouled his way to victory against Judah and got given a fortunate decision(IMO anyway) against Mosley but Jennings isn't in the same league as those two and has never fought anywhere near this level so I can't really see him troubling Cotto but you never know with boxing.

[rob h]

Hope he wins he deserves it big time.

[chinny]

Do we know what channel if any is showing this yet?

[Asterix]

Do we know what channel if any is showing this yet?

Spank Santa is. See here: http://forum.boxrec.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=83377

[DavidPayne]

I've not been as interested in a fight since well since a long time. A proper British fighter having a go against a top, top fighter.

Michael can box and move and has the heart of a fkking lion, I really hope he gives himself every chance.

Tremendous professional. I will be sitting on the edge of the sofa for the first time since Lewis v Tyson.

Go-on Mick give him hell.

[big lennox]

I think Mick jennings is a very underated figghter.He can box to a plan, has that wonderfully fluid sort of style.I remember watching him calmly handle Chris Saunders a few years back, when Chris was flying at the time, and trust me, Chris Saunders could/can bang with the best of them and box well too.Ive always classed Mick Jennings as being above British level on his day, and we willnow get the chance to see if he can compete well at the top end of world class.Am really looking forqward to this bout.

[DG.]

Best of luck to him.


Unlike Mooresy who I think will 'Bruk down' his opponent and pull away down the stretch, in this fight I think Michael needs to box on the outside and give lots of angles and throw lots of punches ( he can do both well ) and basically frustrate Cotto and maybe sit down a bit oh nis ounches in the last quarter ( if he gets that far) becaus we know Cotto does not have the best stamina.


Mike's a good fighter and has had it tough on a personal level so.....step forth MJ and do what you do best.

Its a tough ask, but he has a better chance than Lockett did against Pavlik...

Carry the immortal words of DG into battle......

'Gwann, MJ..Outspeed and frustrate im blood clot (Bloodclart!)'

MJ WPTS 12 Cotto? Is it possible? I do not think so, but it would be amazing!

Best of luck!

[Twinkle Toes]

I think Jennings is going to have some decent success, he is an accurate puncher, and Cotto is easy to hit.

However, this is a big ask, and Cotto has been mixing in top quality for a while now. On the flip side, Jennings has never stepped above British level, and I think on the night it is going to show.

[chinny]

I will be sitting on the edge of the sofa for the first time since Lewis v Tyson.

Watching what channel? Everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that - as of right now - this isn't getting shown in the UK

[Wales]

Its on setanta isnt it! Along with pavlik rubio, or so the schedules have been saying?!

[kevin mac]

Best of luck mick

[Asterix]

Its on setanta isnt it! Along with pavlik rubio, or so the schedules have been saying?!

That's what I said above. *shrug*

[DG.]

I will be sitting on the edge of the sofa for the first time since Lewis v Tyson.

Watching what channel? Everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that - as of right now - this isn't getting shown in the UK

Maybe not on your TV - but it's on mine!

Setanta!

[Wales]

Its on setanta isnt it! Along with pavlik rubio, or so the schedules have been saying?!

That's what I said above. *shrug*

Not on their latest schedule listing though, which is worrying.

[chinny]

Its on setanta isnt it! Along with pavlik rubio, or so the schedules have been saying?!

That's what I said above. *shrug*

Not on their latest schedule listing though, which is worrying.

Correct. 'Contract issues' apparently. For 'contract' read 'Fwank meddling'

[DAVE2005]

good luck mike,were all rooting for you

[chinny]

I will be sitting on the edge of the sofa for the first time since Lewis v Tyson.

Watching what channel? Everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that - as of right now - this isn't getting shown in the UK

Maybe not on your TV - but it's on mine!

Setanta!

Looks like Setanta on delay, Sunday 10am

[whicker]

A real shame that this bout is apparantly not going out live.

[Wales]

10am delay... that'll do me, better than a kick up the arse and im sure I can avoid the result till 10am.