Lithuanian first up for Jennings
Wednesday 27th January 2010, 2:30PM GMT.
Matt Jennings has lost none of his fitness said the man in his corner, Graham Guilbert. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0751008)
MATT JENNINGS steps back into the ring on Friday night after his short ban for a drugs offence.
And while one of Guernsey’s finest ever heavyweights has no doubt found it difficult to deal with the furore of being caught in possession of a class A drug towards the end of 2009, he faces another tough challenge at the first dinner boxing show of the year.
It comes in the form of Lithuanian cruiserweight Valentin Bubul who, according to Jennings’ coach Graham Guilbert, in recent times went all the way to the final of the ABA novice championships only to lose to a particularly tall London policeman.
Guilbert expects his man to have a testing time against a very strong boxer.
‘I’m glad I’ve had a look at him. He’s a hooker,’ said Guilbert who is delighted with how Jennings has reacted to his time out of the ring.
Prevented, due to the terms of his suspension, from training at the Amalgamated Boys’ Club until 1 January, Jennings has been working out in a small ring put up at the Bodyworks Fitness Centre in Lowlands.
‘He hasn’t lost anything,’ said Guilbert.
- Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Island Life
All about Guernsey
Ambassador of the Year 2011
History & Heritage
Visitor Information
Guernsey's government
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Useful Links
the guernsey boxing club is a joke. there zero tolerance on drugs stood for nothing. if got a conviction for drugs it would be sorry we have a zero tolerance on drugs goodbye but with matt it was a case of pat on the back small ban and back in time for next fight.if you dont have a zero tolerance on drugs then yes give a ban and have matt back fighting for guernsey but to have this zero tolerance and let him back is a joke.
Report abuse
It is obvious that they DON’T have a zero tolerance policy, otherwise Matt wouldn’t be fighting would he?
Quite right too, people shouldn’t be banned from sport just because of a minor misdemeanor. It’s laughable how a good “booze-up” after the game is deemed perfectly acceptable, and yet someone who gets caught smoking a joint or taking an ecstasy pill (less harmful than alcohol, as study after study has concluded) can be banned from participating.
Report abuse
How wonderful, a convicted “junkie” representing our island.. we should all be very proud.
Report abuse
James
One word is all that’s required…….pathetic.
Report abuse
Zero Tolerance doesn’t necessarily mean a life ban. All it means is that everyone caught will be disciplined – it doesn’t say anything about the severity of the sentence.
Give the guy a break – he was wrong and was punished for it. You can argue about the severity of the sentence but I’m sure he’s learned his lesson – and if he hasn’t next time I imagine the ABC will come down like the proverbial tonne of bricks.
Report abuse
james
it seems you have a problem with matt i think?
do you know he is a junkie then?
Report abuse
Message for James – please look up the word ‘junkie’ in the OED or to save you the hassle it is quoted as ‘drug addict’. Far from the mark I think!
Message for Mike Tyson – Please read your comments before posting and sentences begin with capital letters!
Report abuse
Shame to see that the amalgamated boys club & guernsey boxing has gone down hill since the days of matt walsh and stuart mourant.Indeed matt has a talent however he proved he lacks the displine like another couple of the new breed who seem to think that a good scrap in town makes them a good “fighter”
great shame
Report abuse
Agreed Dave !!! Not forgetting Neil Brouard
Report abuse
Yet again, the media makes summat owt of nowt.
- and really, James, if you think this guy’s a ‘junkie’ because he was caught with a tablet, it’s about time you got off the island and saw the rest of the world beyond Corbiere.
Report abuse
Big Dave
So dave you think it never went on back then eh?
well i can tell you as a fact that it did and some were being taken just before a fight. Its just that Matt got caught.
Report abuse
This case just goes to show that some Guernsey people are so pathetic and judgemental. They have no lives of their own so they pick through other peoples lives like vultures and sit there and judge other people without an iota of understanding of what they are talking about.
Matt Jennings is a legend and deserves his boxing success. As for Graham Guilbert and the boxing club, Graham is a top bloke and spends HOURS of unpaid time with the club, helping the younger generations which is a lot more than most people.
Report abuse
I think the term Legend is a little strong seeing as the definition of a legend is “a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events” good, but legend he most certainly isnt – and probably never will be. If you want to attach the label of legend to some of Guernsey’s sports stars then I think Andy Priaulx, Matt Le Tissier, Len Duquemin and hopefully Heather Watson some day are a bit closer to the mark in terms of achieving real success in their fields.
Report abuse
Sammy and Dave , It is interesting that you both find that the amalgamated boys club and guernsey boxing have gone downhill since the days of matt walsh,stuart mourant and neil brouard,all well respected ex boxers ,totally true. Although your comments about todays amalgamated boys club could not be further from the truth,For instance – the club now has more boxers among its members who actually hold or have held a national area title (Western counties champions)than ever in its history,and may i also point out that matt jennings is the only senior guernsey boxer to have ever won an a.b.a. national title and is currently ranked in the top ten in england by the a.b.a. at number seven at cruiserweight. The amalgamated boys club has come on leaps and bounds in recent years and will continue to improve due to the knowledge of its more experienced members.also to say these boxers have fights around town is complete trash,every boxer i have met from the boys club is a true gent .
Report abuse
@Auntie GP.
I use the term ‘legend’ in it’s loosest sense, so no need for dictionary corner thanks.
As for those others you mention, I couldn’t care less about people like Andy Priaulx etc since I don’t follow or respect their sport or success.
Report abuse
A couple of points from this thread.
A Junkie is usually a classification of someone who’s addicted to a drug, I dont think Matt Jennings could be physically capable to box at a decent standard if he was a junkie. If 1 swallow doesnt make a summer, then 1 tab doesnt make a Junkie.
True gents…. sort of, but after a few pints in town….. doubtful.
This goes for the present generation as well as yesteryears gang who were also known for a bit of argy bargy in town….. denial is your prerogative however.
I also find it odd that someone would refer to an essentially unknown amateur boxer as a legend. Which is fair enough if thats how you view modest acheivement, but then to not even respect the acheivements of highly successful non-combat sportspeople seems a little biased. Or is it part of the old Guernsey mentality that you only got respect if you are capable of stoving someones head in.
As for the issue itself, he did the crime, he got caught (how many dont??), he paid the price, now lets just let the guy get on with what he’s good at.
Report abuse
i am not a fan of boxing, local or otherwise. but i note that mr jennings is, overall, a good boxer and generally does well by his sport and the island he represents. he is human and was found against the law with his drug offence. but personal use and no more – no drunken violent assault, no drunken domestic, no drunken car crash? how many local / non local sportsmen get it wrong every weekend with much worse than mr j? this is just very good news to newspapers – good job mr j is not england footy captain. hypocrisy all over. get some perspective folks and remember – boxing does your head in eventually, i find.
Report abuse