Jennings eager to test himself on return to ring

MATT JENNINGS is set to return to the ring for the first time since the Open Show in March. The biggest draw in Guernsey boxing has missed two bouts recently through no-shows by his opponents.

The problem has plagued the big-hitting Jennings, who turns 30 next month, throughout his career.

The cruiserweight is topping the bill at tomorrow evening's Dinner Boxing Show at St Pierre Park Hotel as the Graham Guilbert-coached Guernsey team take on a tough London Select side.

The former national class A novice champion faces the current titleholder, Michael Matthewsian.

The 26-year-old fights out of the Golden Ring Gym in Southampton.

'Graham tells me he is quite a tall lad and that he's had a few bouts, about 20-odd,' said Jennings.

'Apparently he's a bit of a dancer, he's a good mover. I'm happy to be boxing again and hopefully this time it will be a bit of a test.

'I've been needing a bit more of a test to improve myself and hopefully this will be. I'll be on my toes.

'I've missed a couple of chances while he'll have been quite busy. The lads over there box nearly every other week.'

The London team manager, Paul Armand, believes Jennings will have a real fight on his hands with Matthewsian.

'He's definitely coming over to win,' said Armand.

'He's won his last 11 or 12 fights in a row so he's confident. He's really up for it as well.'

Shane Le Patourel topped the bill at the last show but misses out this time with a foot problem while Wayne Calladine is also out with an injury to the nose.

Along with Jennings bout, Guilbert points to two other Guernsey fighters to watch out for tomorrow when Bradley Watson takes on Gary Corcoran in the 39kg class and also Steve Owen in his super heavyweight clash with Ross Widmer.

'There are three cracking bouts,' said Guilbert.

'Along with Jennings and his bloke, Watson's opponent beat him last time so he's been really training hard for this one and that's going to be touch and go. Also for our new lad, Bristol boy Steve Owen, it's going to be very even.

'They are two big men so it should be good. He's been training hard.'

At the dinner boxing event in November against the Manchester Select, light welterweight James Woolnough ended a bad run with a bruising three round victory over Martin Ryan. Tomorrow night, the 16-year-old faces Craig Harvey.

'I think I've got a tad more experience than him and that can be quite vital sometimes,' said Wool-nough.

'It was good to get back to winning ways and hopefully I can maintain it. I think I'm fitter for this one.

'In the last round of the last one I was quite tired. I'm up for it and I'm looking forward to it. It should be a good night.'

Alderney are sending three of their boxers for the show. Light welterweight Luke Butel will open the bill in his debut bout, while 40kg Chris Sumner will hope to continue his good run of form.

Adam Rose has the penultimate fight of the night when he faces Mark Atkins in the light-heavyweight class. Rose has not seen any action in a while.

'He's fought once since March,' said Rose's father and Alderney coach Paul.

'We don't know too much about his opponent except he's fought around 17 and won 10. That's pretty good for the London area.

'Luke is new to the game. He's a strong, stocky lad and he's learning to box. He's a raw talent and he likes to dominate.

'Chris has had four and won three but this lad he's got has had a wee bit more experience so it's going to be a test for him.'

In preparation for tomorrow, Rose and his fighters recently came from Alderney for a training weekend at the Amalgamated Boys' Club in St Martin's.

'It was pretty good with lot's of sparring with the Guernsey lads,' said Rose.

Armand is also looking forward to a good night of boxing and believes his team will have the edge.

'It will be tight and it will be hard,' he said.

'Graham has got some good, decent lads but I'm confident we'll nick a win. I say 6-4 to London.'