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'Support our man'
The Guardian today launches a campaign calling for people to support Chorley boxer Michael Jennings as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life.
Michael, 31, flies to Amercia soon for his WBO Welterweight title bout with Peurto Rican opponent and red hot favourite Miguel Angel Cotto in New York on February 21.
More than 17,000 fans, including 200 family and friends, will descend on Madison Square Garden for a fight to be seen by a TV global audience of millions. It's that big.
"I'm going to win," said Michael, known as the Chorley Lurcher.
He might be a massive outsider, but with a record of 34 wins from 35 fights, Jennings says people are making a big mistake if they under-estimate him.
If hard work and preparation are anything to go by, then the Chorley boxer is set to turn his odds of 10-1 on their head.
He's been in solid training for the fight at Madison Square Garden on February 21 for nine weeks, but in truth he's been preparing for it for his entire 16-year career.
Some sportsmen would be fazed by taking on one of the world's best boxers in the Mecca of boxing, but Jennings is not one of them.
"It was alright," was his assessment of Madison Square Garden, which will be full with 17,000 fight fans for his top-of-the-bill clash with Cotto. "I'm not bothered by the venue."
Interviews with the News of the World, Setanta Sports (which is screening the fight) and Granada Tonight give you some idea of the interest in the contest.
"I've even been phoned by Puerto Rican journalists," said Jennings, who popped into the Guardian office with his three-and-a-half-year-old son Mikey.
"Everything I'm doing is for my kids," he said. "Mikey knows I box but he doesn't really know what I'm doing."
Jennings has only just returned from his pre-fight promotional trip to New York and admits it was all a bit of a blur.
"It was mad and eye-opening," he said. "Madison Square Garden is the Mecca of boxing. There were 50 journalists there, at least. I was repeating myself over and over again. We were sat around a big table.
"I'd sooner the fight was over here but it's not. It comes with the territory. Cotto was alright. He was respectful. He was quiet, like me."
He'll fly over to New York 10 days before the fight with his trainer and three sparring partners.
On the night itself he's expected to be cheered on by around 200 family and friends.
"I can't believe that they are willing to come out and spend all that money," he said. "I'm made up over that.
"It would be good to see a part of Chorley in New York. It will make me feel more at home."
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Weather for Chorley
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
