After being a fighter and trainer in boxing for 43 years, Philadelphia-native Fred Jenkins might have found the pupil of his career in undefeated heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings. Jennings, born and raised in Philadelphia, is currently 18-0 with 10 KOs.
In an interview with PhillyBoxingHistory.com, Jenkins said Jennings is, “…a unique individual. He likes to be challenged, and whatever challenge comes, he puts it in the back of his mind that he’s got to complete the challenge and out-do the next guy. That’s his pattern of fighting, and that’s his pattern in life.”
Jenkins knows what to look for in a pro-fighter, having been in the ring himself before he started running the ABC Rec Center in North Philly. Before Jennings, Jenkins guided countless local fighting stars. His highlight fighter to-date has been Charlie “Choo Choo” Brown, who he trained to victory in the 1984 International Boxing Federation World Lightweight Championship.
Now, Jenkins is showing Jennings what to expect in future fights.
“You have to realize, he’s only been in the business five years. I’ve been in the business 43 years,” Jenkins says. “So what he don’t see, I’ve already seen. I usually try to prepare him for it, whether he knows it or not.”
Jenkins is confident that when Jennings competes for the world title, he will win. No matter what, though, Jenkins says the success to winning is to always be open to something new.
“My success is always open to keep learning,” Jenkins says. “Once you say you know it all, that’s when you fail. I don’t know it all. I’m still learning as I go.”
Jennings will take on Mike Perez in a 12-round WBC title eliminator at Madison Square Garden this Saturday.
To read more of this interview with Fred Jenkins, go to PhillyBoxingHistory.com.
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