Boxing / Alex Steedman / 16 February 2009 / Leave a comment

It will be interesting to see how Miguel Cotto responds to his debilitating defeat to Antonio Margarito. Just don't expect Michael Jennings to put up much of a fight, says Alex Steedman.

He is a Boxer by day, a drummer by night; he's an intelligent man and a nice guy to boot. What on earth has Michael Jennings done to deserve Miguel Cotto?

In plain speaking, the Chorley stylist is seen as a non-punching threat to Cotto who is on the comeback trail after a debilitating defeat to Antonio Margarito. How Cotto reacts to that painful night will be interesting but sadly for British fight fans, Jennings' is probably not the man to exact some answers.

In reality, as pleasing as Jennings is on the eye and as talented as he is at a certain level, he and Cotto are more than just ocean's apart. The WBO, whose vacant title is up for grabs here, have Jennings at No3, a place above Paul Williams, who has beaten Margarito and is considered among Boxing's hottest property. Go figure, as the Americans say.

Career high wins over Bradley Price, Takaloo and recently Ross Minter, underline the fact that Jennings is above domestic and European level but this is rarefied country. Cotto is not just top 10 material but (despite that defeat) pound for pound quality.

The Puerto Rican star out boxed and out-thought a genuine hall of famer in Shane Mosley (who of course thumped Maragarito recently) while he marmalised the slippery Malignaggi when he was probably gone at light welter. Even a combination of speed and power couldn't prevent him catching up with an on form Zab Judah in 2007.

With just 16 stoppages in 34, Jennings doesn't have the pop to deter Cotto, only his excellent movement will keep him in the fight. That and perhaps Cotto's desire to bank some rounds before being thrown back into the lions den in June are the only factors against an early stoppage.

This reminds me of Gary Lockett's defeat to Kelly Pavlik last year; a case of a British fighter earning a deserved pay day but pitched into darkness to earn it. I hope I'm wrong but this could be over very early if Cotto wants it to be.
If there is the semblance of hope for Jennings, it lies with his other job. The band he plays for are called The Shoks.

Recommendation: Cotto to Win currently trading at 1.06 in a developing market
Method: KO currently trading at [1.15] in a developing market
Tip: Round 3, 4 or 5