I recently had a chance to interview one of the most accomplished boxing radio hosts of all-time, the award-winning Jenna Jay. Jenna is the host of ?On The Ropes? radio, a boxing oriented podcast that has featured the biggest guests in the sport for over eight years. During my interview with Jenna, I got her views on Klitschko vs. Joshua and if she think?s there should be a rematch. I also asked her about the future of Joshua and if a Wilder-Joshua fight is the key to stardom for them both. Additionally, Jenna breaks down this weekend?s Alvarez vs. Chavez bout and gives her views on Manny Pacquiao against Jeff Horn. Here is what Jenna Jay had to say.
Robert Brown: What were your thoughts on the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Anthony Joshua fight?
Jenna J: Not only did it live up to the hype, but it exceeded it in a lot of ways. A lot of people thought that Anthony Joshua was a guy who had the potential to be a superstar at 18-0 with 18 knockouts, but he hadn?t been really tested, and in this fight he was tested against a 41 year old Wladimir Klitschko who still looked good and effective.
It was a fantastic fight. To see Klitschko get knocked down then overcome the adversity, where in other situations in his career he rarely did that, he overcame the adversity and knocked Joshua down in the next round. Then to see the finish by Joshua, it was a star making performance from Joshua and it was a fantastic fight for heavyweight boxing.
Robert Brown: Do you think there should be a rematch? If this is Klitschko?s last fight, where do you rank him amongst the great heavyweights of all time?
Jenna J: There is a rematch clause, but Klitschko hasn?t said whether or not he?s going to exercise it. That is a big decision for him because he knows that he risks potentially losing in a rematch, devastatingly losing in a rematch. He did very well in parts of this fight but still lost and is looking older.
I believe the rematch would take place on Wladimir?s home turf, but still, what is he going to do that?s so much different? It?s a tough call for him. If I were Wladmir Klitschko, it?s such a hard road to travel, I would try to fight someone like Joseph Parker and try to win a title and go out on a high. Don?t go out on a low. If he chases Anthony Joshua, there?s a chance he could go out on a low.
Robert Brown: Joshua has talked about becoming a global star. If he wants to become a global star, Deontay Wilder is the option isn?t it?
Jenna J: That is honestly his best option to become a huge star in this country. It?s a fight that makes a lot of sense for both of them. Deontay Wilder has been doing well but hasn?t gained any stardom, if he knocks Joshua out in the United States, people are going to be hugely excited. It?s a huge opportunity for both of these guys to become global stars, one way or the other.
Robert Brown: Saul Alvarez will be fighting Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. this weekend. Do you give Chavez Jr. any shot in this fight?
Jenna J: Initially I thought that there was a chance for Chavez Jr. The fight is taking place at 164.5lbs and Canelo has never fought above 155lbs, when Chavez has had that kind of weight advantage, he would chop guys down like he did Andy Lee. But his biggest problem is dedication and it always will be his biggest problem.
The difference between Canelo and Chavez is that one fighter grew up privileged, and the other fighter is hungry. I don?t see Chavez Jr. as a hungry guy, I don?t think he?s a guy who cares about his legacy. In a certain way, can you blame him? He can never live up to the legend of his father, and he knows that, so it pushes him back. He?s done a lot of stupid things, he?s smoked dope, he?s blown up between fights, his own father says he hasn?t been training that great for this fight.
Honestly, I don?t give a lot of chance to Chavez Jr. If he came in shape, I would have given him some, but I don?t see much of a chance here. I believe Canelo is going to be faster, sharper, he will pick him apart with a jab, and I wouldn?t be surprised to see Chavez Jr. quit later on in the fight. It may go to a decision, it may be Canelo on points, but I wouldn?t be shocked to see Chavez get frustrated and quit in the corner. I don?t hold out a lot of high hopes for this being a great fight.
Robert Brown: What are your thoughts on Manny Pacquiao vs. Jeff Horn?
Jenna J: This fight is an overseas version of Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri, and honestly I think Algieri is in a higher class than Jeff Horn is. Horn has faced Ali Funeka and Randall Bailey and he got knocked down and hurt in both of those fights. If Manny Pacquiao does not score a knockout, he will never score a knockout in the rest of his career. Pacquiao is still a good fighter, he?s still a top 10 welterweight, he can beat a lot of guys out there. I understand why he?s fighting Jeff Horn, but as a fan I?m not looking forward to it too much, except for the fact that I believe that Pacquiao will score a knockout in this fight.
