Introducing Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title Challenger Bobby Jenkinson
Lincoln giant killer Bobby ‘Dazzler’ Jenkinson promises a blinding performance when he challenges Erith battler Lewis Pettitt in a potential thriller for the vacant Commonwealth super-bantam strap this Saturday at the SSE Arena, Wembley.
The 23 year old from the Shinfield stable in Somercotes, once a national junior champion, is a 5ft 6in swashbuckler who remains a secret outside the small halls. BoxNation investigator Glynn Evans was commissioned to find out more.
How did you become involved in boxing?
I’m from a little village called Cherry Willingham about five miles out of Lincoln. It’s very quiet and peaceful. Thankfully, I’ve always been able to restrict my fighting to inside the ring.
My Dad Gary was an ex-pro lightweight in the 1990s (9-9-4) so I started amateur boxing at the Bracebridge ABC, aged 11. I won 44 of 77 contests but only boxed at home three times so struggled to get decisions.
I actually won the national CYPs when I was about 17, and got to the ABA quarter-finals one year but was already training at the Shinfield gym and couldn’t be bothered to stay amateur once I turned 20.
After four promising wins, you were badly stopped in your fifth pro fight by novice Spanish bantamweight Francisco Javier Rodriguez Ortega. What went wrong?
Looking back, I’m glad it happened. It was in my town and I got too confident, got too close rather than stepping off, and I wasn’t keeping my right hand up. My head was all over the place when he clipped me and I got up too quick. That defeat taught me to think a bit more.
You’re unbeaten in five since, winning the Midland Area title (pts 10, Paul Holt) and acquiring a rep for scalping unbeaten prospects such as Accrington’s Artif Ali and Hull’s Charlie Payton in their backyards. That should stand you in good stead to upset Pettitt in Wembley.
You have to work a lot harder and win very clearly but I enjoy fighting in the away corner. There’ll be a few of my fans there but there’ll be less pressure.
Obviously there’ll be nerves on the night but that’s natural. I just need to make sure I give 100% and give myself the best possible chance of bringing the belt home. You have to take a gamble to get anywhere in this game.
You’re yet to feature on TV. Stylewise, what can fans look forward to?
I’m a pressure fighter who’s getting stronger with age.
Lately, because the fights are getting longer, I’ve worked on moving in and out but basically I’m always on your toe, moving my head, hands held high. Sometimes I switch.
Not being shown on the tele is probably a good thing. I’m the mystery man! But Lewis is a good kid, it’ll only take him a couple of rounds to find out what I’m about.
What’s your assessment of co-challenger Pettitt?
I’ve seen a few of Lewis’ fights. He’s a good kid – they all are at this level – with a ‘come forward’ style similar to mine; we both like to throw the hooks. But I don’t think he’s been tested yet. He’s not been pushed back like I intend pushing him back.
It’ll be a helluva good fight but I’m not worried.
Finally, what gives you confidence that you’ll lift the title on September 26th?
Firstly, I’ve a good team behind me. The Shinfields are good blokes and have done very well to get me this chance. They used to work with my Dad and have always been straight. You can really trust ‘em.
Secondly, I always box better when the opponent comes forward and throws shots. That’s what gets the adrenalin flowing.
Thirdly, I’ve upset the applecart away from home before. I’m confident I’ll catch him. It’s my time!
Priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150* tickets are available from www.frankwarren.com, SSE Arena, Wembley on 0844 815 0815 and www.axs.com and Eventim on 0844 249 1000 and www.eventim.co.uk
Buglioni v Chudinov headlines ’Man vs. Machine’ with London hotshot Frank Buglioni challenging WBA World Super-Middleweight Champion Fedor Chudinov for his crown.
An action packed card also features Cromer battler Ryan Walsh facing Hull’s Samir Mouneimne with the Vacant British Featherweight Title on the line; all-action Erith talent Lewis Pettitt challenges for the Vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Championship against Bobby Jenkinson; Penge hero Bradley Skeete defends his WBO European Welterweight crown against Heywood’s Mark Thompson; plus on the undercard Dulwich light-middleweight Ahmet Patterson; exciting heavyweight Dereck Chisora goes in over ten rounds; light-middleweight ace Gary Corcoran; Dublin lightweight Jamie Kavanagh; Canning Town lightweight Romeo Romaeo; Dagenham lightweight Ediz Hussein; Chingford super-featherweight Boy Jones Jnr, and Chelmsford super-featherweight Billy Long.
The Channel Of Champions, BoxNation, will televise, live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com or watch online at Livesport.tv or via iPhone, iPad or Android.
*Tickets are subject to be booking fee.
