Photo by Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
On Saturday, December 19, 2015, Bryant “By-By” Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since dropping a disappointing decision to Wladimir Klitschko at Madison Square Garden in April.
The Philly product will be taking on Cuban hard hitter and recently crowned WBA Interim title holder, Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (23-0, 20 KOs) in a 12-round clash.
The bout, which will air live on HBO Boxing After Dark, will take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York and promises to be an exciting clash between two fighters hoping to propel themselves into the mix of upper-echelon Heavyweights.
Jennings feels that he will provide the first real test for Ortiz, who at 36 years old is looking to climb the Heavyweight ladder as fast as possible.
“He’s confident, but a little too confident,” said Jennings during a recent media call. “He doesn’t understand what he is up against. He has never faced an opponent like me.”
Ortiz knows that a strong showing and victory against a solid contender like Jennings could move him closer to earning a shot at one of the major belts.
“The people will know who is coming for the number one spot. I didn’t come here from Cuba to sit here and do nothing. I am coming for the belt; I am coming to become the heavyweight world champion,” said Ortiz.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Ortiz is coming off of an eye-catching third-round knockout victory over Matias Ariel Vidondo on the Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux undercard.
Many people who tuned into the undercard portion of the Golovkin-Lemieux pay-per-view were impressed by Ortiz’s performance, but his victory came against an unknown and overmatched opponent.
“This guy hasn’t seen a real fighter like me yet. He has to make himself believe that he knows what to do; he has to prove it on December 19. But I am going to shut him down that day, that’s my plan,” said Jennings.
Regardless of the outcome, this fight promises to be an exciting affair between two Heavyweights with something to prove.
Bryant Jennings vs. Luis Ortiz is a 12-round heavyweight bout fight which will air on HBO Boxing After Dark at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT on Saturday, December 19, 2015.
