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After a hiatus of over five years, Bryant Jennings is set to step back into the boxing ring this Saturday night. Facing Joel Caudle, this marks Jennings' first fight since his loss to Joe Joyce in July 2019 at London’s O2 Arena. Despite the lengthy break from competition, Jennings is determined to prove that he still belongs among the heavyweight division's elite. His return is not just about reclaiming his place in the sport but also about demonstrating that he never truly left it.
Jennings’ last bout against Joe Joyce was a hard-fought 12-round contest, where he ultimately lost via unanimous decision. Since that night, the heavyweight division has seen dramatic shifts, with the spotlight shifting to new faces and the division itself largely dominated by high-profile events in Saudi Arabia. While Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk eventually clashed after multiple delays, and new contenders like Francis Ngannou and Daniel Dubois emerged, Jennings remained on the sidelines, watching the landscape evolve.
During his time away, Jennings witnessed the rise of Jared Anderson as America’s heavyweight hope, the decline of Deontay Wilder as a world-level contender, and the transformation of Joe Joyce from a rising star to a fighter who suffered back-to-back losses against Zhilei Zhang. Yet, despite the passage of time and the changing faces in the division, Jennings believes there is still a place for him in today’s heavyweight scene.
Jennings insists that his return is not driven by financial necessity or a desire to reclaim past glory. He maintains that he never considered himself retired and that his comeback is motivated by a deep understanding of his own physical abilities and the current state of the heavyweight division.
“I’ve been hinting at [returning] for a while,” Jennings said. “I pitched myself to a couple of promoters; they didn’t seem quite interested. ‘Okay, I’ll just do my thing on my own.’”
The decision to step away from the sport in 2021, just two weeks before a scheduled rematch with Oscar Rivas, was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the pressures to take the vaccine. Jennings, who has always been vocal about his principles, chose to walk away rather than compromise his beliefs. However, with the world slowly returning to normalcy, Jennings feels the time is right to resume his career.
The heavyweight division Jennings is returning to is both familiar and different. The likes of Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, and Derek Chisora – all fighters from Jennings’ era – continue to be the dominant forces in the division. Jennings acknowledges that the younger generation has not yet fully taken over, and he sees this as an opportunity to re-establish himself among the best.
“If it was a bunch of 20-year-olds, or 25-year-olds, running the game and running the older guys out – but it’s not that, and I still have my faculties and my physical abilities to be able to compete,” Jennings explained.
This assessment of the division's dynamics gives Jennings confidence that he can still compete at a high level.
Philadelphia, a city with a rich boxing history, plays a significant role in Jennings’ return. The Met Philadelphia, where Jennings will fight Caudle, is a fitting venue for a fighter looking to reignite his career. Jennings’ connection to the city is further strengthened by his association with Jaron “Boots” Ennis, the world’s finest welterweight and a fellow Philadelphian. Ennis’ father, Derek “Bozy” Ennis, is Jennings’ trainer, making this return not just a personal journey but also a community effort.
Jennings acknowledges the financial allure of fighting in Saudi Arabia, where heavyweights like Jarrell Miller have benefitted from significant investments. However, he remains focused on making his comeback in Philadelphia, a city that has supported him throughout his career.
“That there [fighting in Philadelphia] is something that’s very interesting,” Jennings said. “It’s a close-knit situation, and it makes all the sense in the world.”
Jennings is realistic about his return. He sees the upcoming fight against Joel Caudle as an opportunity to shake off the rust and re-familiarize himself with the feeling of being in the ring.
“Getting the quick win – I don’t think that this fight here is the real ring-ruster,” Jennings noted. “This one is for the exposure; just getting the feel back; walking to the ring and feeling that feeling.”
Jennings is not content with fighting once a year, a practice he believes has contributed to the decline of many fighters. Instead, he plans to remain active, with a quick turnaround between fights to build momentum. “One month; two months [for that next fight]. Don’t matter. All of this fighting once a year type of thing – that’s what killed a lot of the game,” he said.
Jennings’ decision to assist Derek Chisora in preparation for his recent fight against Joe Joyce has provided him with additional motivation. Seeing Chisora, a fighter who Jennings didn’t expect to still be active, receive the love and respect from fans has reinforced Jennings’ desire to finish his career on a high note. “That fight was good enough to walk out on,” Jennings reflected. “I understand he wants to do two more, but that right there was the stamp of a career to say, ‘You know what? No matter what happens, he finished it off strong.’”
As Bryant Jennings prepares to step back into the ring, he does so with a clear understanding of his goals and the path ahead. His return is not just about proving that he can still compete, but about reigniting a career that was interrupted by circumstances beyond his control. With his sights set on making a significant impact in the heavyweight division once again, Jennings is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. His journey back to the ring is not just a comeback; it’s a testament to his resilience, determination, and enduring love for the sport of boxing.
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