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Jennings proves a knockout
Chorley boxer Michael Jennings said he was fighting for his future when got back in the ring for his comeback bout in Belfast on Friday.
Less than three months after he lost his WBO welterweight fight against Miguel Cotto in Madison Square Garden, New York, the Chorley Lurcher was back with a bang.
A total of 7,000 fans packed into the Odyssey Arena in Belfast to see him destroy the previously unbeaten Willie Thompson from Ballyclare in Northern Ireland.
The bout was scheduled to last six three-minute rounds but after a tentative opening, Jennings showed the crowd just why he's won 35 of his 37 professional contests.
Jennings made good use of his jab and his opponent was literally left clinging on.
By the time the ref warned Thompson about his tactics, the Chorley boxer was dominating.
His right jab was particularly effective and he unleashed a couple of ferocious combinations that had Thompson holding on to avoid further punishment.
The end came after just 2 minutes 33 seconds of the fourth round.
Jennings unleashed a succession of right hands which sent Thompson's unbeaten seven-fight record crashing to the canvas.
Mercifully the referee stepped in to prevent him from taking further punishment - much to the cheers of the Chorley supporters who were dancing in the streets of Belfast.
Jennings, who was sporting a tattoo on his chest with the names of his two sons Mikey and Jack on it, said he had everything to lose and nothing to win from the fight.
"Before the fight Willie Thompson said that all the pressure was on me," Jennings told the Guardian. "If he'd beaten me I would have had nowhere to go. I was fighting for my future.
"Whereas I was the underdog for the Cotto fight I was the favourite in Belfast. It was all or nothing. I didn't have much to gain, in terms of titles, but everything to lose.
"He (Thompson) was really unorthodox and was trying to knock me out of my rhythm by holding on. He was the local favourite but after I'd won the crowd gave me a good cheer.
"I'd give myself about 7/10 for the performance. It was a good finish and I think my experience showed. Hopefully now I'll get another title fight."
Jennings had a tattoo on his chest enlarged to include the names and date of birth of his two children but he said he won't be getting any more.
"It hurt too much," he joked.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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