Wladimir Klitschko vs. Bryant Jennings: Live Stream Info, Form Guide, Prediction

Bryant Jennings will face up to the intimidating prospect of facing the iconic Wladimir Klitschko for the world heavyweight title on Saturday evening.

The Ukrainian powerhouse has not lost a bout for 11 years, boasting an unrelenting stranglehold on the division. Naturally, he’s the big favourite to continue this sensational run when the two fighters step out in front of a packed Madison Square Garden, but the crowd will surely be roaring on the American underdog.

It’s always an intriguing affair when Klitschko laces up the gloves and with Jennings vowing to spring a surprise, this one will be no different. Here’s all the information you need on where to catch the fight and a closer examination as to whether Jennings has the tools to cause a massive upset.

Date	Opponent	Result	Method
Klitschko
Nov. 15, 2014	Kubrat Pulev	Won	KO
Apr. 26, 2014	Alex Leapai	Won	TKO
Oct. 5, 2013	Alexander Povetkin	Won	UD
May 4, 2013	Francesco Pianeta	Won	TKO
Nov. 10, 2012	Mariusz Wach	Won	UD
Jennings
Jul. 26, 2014	Mike Perez	Won	SD
Jan. 25, 2014	Artur Szpilka	Won	TKO
Jun. 14, 2013	Andrey Fedosov	Won	RTD
Dec. 8, 2012	Bowie Tupou	Won	TKO
Sep. 8, 2012	Chris Koval	Won	TKO

Date: Saturday, April 25

Live Stream: BoxNation (UK)

Jennings Looking to Cap Remarkable Rise

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Regardless of what happens to Jennings in this glitzy encounter, it’s been a stunning ascension to the top for the 30-year-old. The man from Philadelphia only took up boxing in 2009, but has won all 19 of his professional fights to date, 10 of which have come about inside the scheduled distance.

While this is clearly a massive step up for him, the American told Buncey’s Boxing Podcast that although his opponent is a class act, he’s not unbeatable, per ESPN:

"

You should never put a human being on a pedestal. Of course he's a great fighter and a great athlete, but come on. This is not X-Men, this is not a Marvel comic.

I've had people who trained with him and they say he works hard and whatever. But I've actually had people who've trained with me and they say I can match or even top his work ethic. Up until they got to me, Klitschko was the hardest person that they'd seen train until they'd seen the way I get down.

"

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Jennings has certainly impressed in his bouts so far. He’s an obdurate fighter who throws ferocious and accurate punches. As he notes himself, he’s unrelenting in his endeavours too and his best chance of halting the imperious Ukrainian is clinging on in there early, before outworking the veteran in the latter rounds.

It’s tough to see the fight going that far, though, as amicable and effervescent as Jennings may be. Not only is the American surrendering a height, weight and reach advantage to the indomitable Ukrainian, but Klitschko—who boasts a career record of 63 wins from 66 professional fights, 53 inside the distance—is far more experienced.

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

As we can see here, the 39-year-old has looked in relaxed mood during preparations too:

Klitschko currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles and although a man of his incomparable stature will not underestimate the challenge posed by Jennings, he will be extremely confident of keeping hold of them by the time the fight is over on Saturday.

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

It’s the first time Klitschko has fought in America since 2008, when he beat Sultan Ibragimov at the Garden. As we can see here courtesy of the New York Times, the Ukrainian’s trainer Jonathan Banks thinks the heavyweight icon doesn’t quite get the credit he deserves from those stateside:

A clinical performance against Jennings could expedite that process for Klitschko. While the American will be buoyed by a rapturous crowd from the off, it’s only a matter of time before the champion gets his crushing jab functioning with punishing regularity. As he has done so many times down the years, expect the Ukrainian to build an emphatic victory from that point.

The energy of Jennings will get him through the early rounds, but once Klitschko finds his feet, expect a stoppage to come at around the mid-point of the fight.

Prediction: Klitschko by TKO in Round 6