This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

Matt Jennings

THE man who knocked out Audley Harrison is helping plan Matt Jennings’s downfall in the ‘Brawl in the Hall’ at Beau Sejour on Saturday. Former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Michael Sprott has been sparring with Sonny Jury before the Thames Valley ABC fighter’s top-of-the-bill clash with Guernsey’s number one at the Open Show.

Sprott, the 32-year-old Reading-based professional, caused an upset when he knocked out Harrison, the once great hope of British boxing and Olympic gold-medallist. The bout was nearly a year ago to the day as he defended his European Union title.

Being dubbed the ‘Brawl in the Hall’, the Jennings and Jury bout is a repeat of their clash from the December dinner boxing show that the Sarnian took by a unanimous points decision.

‘Sparring with Michael is speeding his punching up,’ said Jury’s coach Paul Cooke.

‘He knows what he is up against with this opponent and what he has to put into it in training. Sonny is only a young lad but he is training five nights a week.

‘I think he can do it this time. We know the boy he is fighting and we have watched the video of the last fight so many times. We are quietly confident.’

For Jennings, who celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday, Jury sparring with Sprott does not draw too much water.

‘I must have made quite an impression,’ he said.

‘It makes me more determined to beat him again. Although it’s good training for him, he’s not fighting Michael Sprott, he’s fighting me.

‘We’ve got different types of style.’

Jennings’s coach Graham Guilbert was also not too impressed.

‘They box all the time with professionals over there,’ he said.

‘But he’s still not got the power to deal with Jennings.’

These words will only add to the hype surrounding the weekend’s show.

When the tickets went on sale a couple of weeks ago for the biggest event in the local boxing calendar, the more-than-800-odd sold out in a record 29 minutes.

‘It’s going to be one of the best shows ever,’ said Jennings.

‘I feel good and strong. I can’t wait for Saturday.’

Despite his confidence, Jennings will have a real fight on his hands when he steps into the ring with Jury.

Even though Jury is 12 years Jennings’ junior at 19, he has racked up nearly double the number of bouts.

The Newbury-based fighter has twice won the National Clubs for Young People Cham-pionship belt.

Jury, like Jennings, is also going for the senior ABA championships in the spring.

Guilbert says that Jury is one of the best fighters his man has fought.

‘It’s going to be good,’ he said.

‘Jennings is looking as sharp as I’ve ever seen him. He’s done the work and he’s looking the best shape he’s ever been in.

‘He’s raring to go, especially for this one. It was a close match last time, there was nothing in it.

‘It’s going to be a hell of a bout.’

Jennings and Guilbert have studied the DVD of the most recent fight more than a dozen times.

‘There wasn’t too much to look at really,’ said Jennings.

‘He didn’t want to get involved last time. Hopefully he will this time to make more of a fight of it.’

According to the coach, they have a plan.

‘Jury is a busy fighter who likes to throw four or five combinations and then move away,’ said Guilbert.

‘We’re going catch him coming in and then going out as well.

‘He’s no mug and obviously he wants a lot more. But without a doubt, Jennings’s power is going to be the factor in this one.’