Wladmir Klitschko will fight in the United States for the first time in seven years when he defends his four heavyweight titles against Bryant Jennings at Madison Square Garden on April 25.
George W. Bush was still leader of the free world, Blackberry addiction had reached its apex and Greg Oden was still considered a legitimate NBA prospect the last time Wladmir Klitschko fought in the United States.
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Oh, how things have changed. Well, almost all things.
Klitschko was still the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion when his presence last graced the States and will still enter country as the possessor of those four belts when he fights Bryant Jennings at New York’s Madison Square Garden on April 25. The bout will mark the return of the 38-year-old Klitschko, whose last successful title defense came when he sent Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev counting area lights last November.
The fight was originally scheduled for Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, yet Bernd Boente, Klitschko’s manager, did not give a reason as to why the match was moved to MSG.
“It will be a tough challenge but I am especially happy to be fighting in New York again,” said Klitschko.
The 30-year-old Jennings will come into NYC as potential threat to dethrone Klitschko, who has been world champion for the past nine years. Jennings has just 19 professional fights under his belt, yet is undefeated with 10 knockouts to his credit.
What makes Jennings more intriguing is that he never laced a pair of boxing gloves on until 2009 and turned pro less than a year later. He used MSG as a launching pad by knocking out previously undefeated contender Artur Szpilka last January before outpointing Mike Perez, who was also previously undefeated, last July.
Klitschko comes into the fight chasing history. He currently owns the second-longest heavyweight title reign in history, trailing only Joe Louis’ 11 years, 8 months and 8 days as champion.
“I had my first unification fight here and a lot of great heavyweight matches have taken place at Madison Square Garden,”Klitschko said. “It will definitely be a great fight night and I will do everything for it from my side.”
It has been 11 years since Klitschko suffered his last defeat, courtesy of Lamon Brewster. He is 63-3 in his career.
A win over Jennings would perhaps set the stage for Klitschko to grab the only belt he lacks: the WBC title. Deontay Wilder captured the belt last Saturday when he outslugged Bermane Stiverne.
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