According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, unified Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will defend his belts against undefeated oPhiladelphian Bryant Jennings on April 25 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
“I have all of the attributes naturally to be a champion that you can’t teach — heart and will,” Jennings told ESPN.com. “I’m psyched up. This is the level where I’m at. This is exactly what I planned to do. Whatever competition you are in, your goal should be to reach the top. This is the top, but now it’s about taking it to higher heights and winning.
“Yes, we are back at the Garden on April 25,” said Klitschko manager Bernd Boente said. “The fifth Klitschko fight there, fourth of Wladimir, and Wladimir is happy about it.”
“I do have great respect for Bryant Jennings and his achievements,” Klitschko said. “He has good movement in the ring and good technique. I know this will be a tough challenge. I am extremely happy to fight in New York again. I had my first unification fight here and a lot of great heavyweight matches have taken place at Madison Square Garden. It will definitely be a great fight night and I will do everything for it from my side.”
“Everybody has some weaknesses, and there is a blueprint to beat everybody,” Jennings said. “I will have to be at my best. This is heavyweight boxing, where it only takes one punch. Matching me up with Wladimir, there is an age difference. I’m a lot younger than he is. And while I may be shorter [6-foot-3 to 6-6], my arms are long and I am very athletic. But the most important thing is that I come to fight and I know how to win.
“They can say whatever they want about inexperience but I know how to win and in a lot of different ways. And I always have the ambition to find a way to win. I’m not a quitter. I have the heart and will to be a champion. I understand Klitschko is a beast in himself, but I know for sure I will be ready. This is what I fight for. We are not planning on losing. We are talking about bringing that belt home. Nothing against Deontay, but I figure a heavyweight champion from Philly is bigger than a heavyweight champion from Alabama.”
“The negotiations with Roc Nation were exhausting and unnecessary but now all is set,” Boente said.
