Fireworks on first night for Jennings

MATT JENNINGS has a big weekend ahead of him as he continues his progression up the boxing ladder. The light heavyweight tops the bill in the first dinner boxing event of the season at St Pierre Park tomorrow night and just a few hours later he will be attending Western Counties squad training with his coach Graham Guilbert.

'I hope he is not too bruised up on Saturday morning,' said Guilbert, admitting that it was not ideal timing.

'I was talking to the Western Counties head last year and they wanted Jennings over then, but he had a letter recently inviting him over this weekend and if he does not go, he will not get a chance to train with Western Counties again until next year.

'It is only training to see what his potential is, but he is in that class now - he is moving up. But he could have done with a week in between.'

However, before then Sussex's S. James will provide Jennings with a stern test and the Sarnian's coach expects fireworks.

'He won the cruiserweight championship last year. He is quite a stocky lad and he comes in hooking,' said Guilbert .

'He has knocked out one of Matt's previous opponents, whom he beat only on points.

'We have worked out a game plan. Jennings will have to watch it with this boy, he will have to move around and not let him get too close.'

The other Guernsey boxers on the packed bill of 11 bouts will also be tested, but their coach is pleased with how preparations have gone.

'They are the top ones in the county, so it will be a strong team. Their coach helps with the England teams and I have been with him on coaching things at Crystal Palace, so I know they will be good lads,' Guilbert said.

'But things are going well here. Jennings, Tom Duff and Matthew Clark are looking exceptional at the moment and the three juniors are looking really good. They have done a lot of hard work. Tom Martin, for a 14-year-old, is looking tremendous.'

But there is one record that will continue for this show which Guilbert desperately wants to shake off as soon as possible.

'Hopefully I will get them all on the show in January,' Guilbert added.