Jennings - Minter fight date confirmed
4:07pm Thursday 3rd January 2008
Michael Jennings will defend his WBU welterweight title against Ross Minter on February 2 at the ExCel Arena, London, it has been confirmed.
The fight has been cancelled once due to injury but it will finally go ahead as chief support to Amir Khan's WBO Intercontinental lightweight title challenge against Martin Kristjansen.
Jennings has been heralded by promoter Frank Warren as one of the most unheralded boxers in the country and won the title with an impressive points win over Takaloo in Cardiff in April, and a win since then has lifted his record to 31-1 (14).
The Chorley Lurcher only lost the title on a split decision to Young Muttely in January 2006, but has fought just three times since then after being plagued by injury.
Now aged 30, he'll want to keep busy in 2008 in an attractive domestic division which also contains Kell Brook, Gary Young and Tony Doherty.
Minter will enjoy home advantage: although he comes from Crawley, Sussex, his father Alan made his name in the 1970s and 1980s as a Londoner.
The 29-year-old is currently 17-2 (8) but suffered a frustrating 2007 having previously made excellent progress.
On top against Freddy Curiel in a UK v USA Contenders show in Newcastle, Minter was the victim of a spectacular eighth round knockout, only his second career defeat.
He hasn't fought since then as,like Jennings, he has been troubled by injury, and really needs a win to get his career back on track.