Klitschko vs. Jennings Live Stream : Fight Time, Date and TV Info

By Brian Mazique

It's been more than seven years since WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (63-3, 53 KO) graced an American boxing ring with his presence. The wait is about to end Saturday, April 25, at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Don't everyone jump for joy at once.

Klitschko's opponent and challenger for the titles will be 30-year-old undefeated heavyweight Bryant "By-By" Jennings (19-0, 10 KO). Many fans would have preferred to see Klitshcko take on the only other heavyweight champion, WBC titleholder Deontay Wilder, but that hopefully is a bout that can happen somewhere down the line.

For now, Jennings will provide the opposition. The Philadelphia native will undoubtedly have the crowd behind him as he attempts to send Klitschko back to the Ukraine without his titles. Here's the viewing information for the bout.

When: Saturday, April 25 at 10 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden in New York

TV: HBO

Live Stream: BoxNation (only available in the UK)

If you asked Americans who are not fight fans to name the heavyweight champion of the world, there's a good chance most wouldn't be able to. In most modern eras, even the American with the slightest interest in the sport could name the person holding that title.

This unfortunate dynamic is partly due to the fact that Klitschko isn't American or flashy.  It's also because he isn't exciting in the ring.

Klitschko's approach is not esthetically pleasing, but he and his trainers—including the late Emanuel Steward—deserve tons of credit for crafting a style that maximizes the champion's qualities. Steward disciple and current Klitschko trainer, Johnathon Banks, laments the American public's disconnect from his fighter. 

Per Joe DePaolo of The New York Times, Banks said, “The thing that bothers me the most is that the American public will not appreciate what he [Klitschko] has done until he’s long retired. He’s dominated more rounds than any fighter in the top of their division. Any weight class.”

At 6'6", Klitschko has ample height. His 81" reach serves to keep opponents at a safe distance away from his vulnerable chin. Klitschko's three losses have all come by stoppage, but no one has even gotten close in over 10 years.

Klitschko also pushes the limits of the rule book with clinching, holding and pushing. Some may cry foul, but unless a referee forces him to stop, his tactics are simply good strategy.

Klitschko dismisses any thoughts of his tactics being questionable. Per George Willis of the New York Post, the 39-year-old said, “I guess you can brainwash anybody. If someone dives at my knees or under the belt line what am I supposed to do? I’ve heard about these complaints before. I’m confident the referee will be professional enough to handle it right.”

Who can argue with the results?

He hasn't lost a fight since 2004. That totals 21 straight victories. He has 17 consecutive defenses of some portion of the heavyweight title.

Regardless of the fighting style, when there's a fighter of Klitschko's ilk coming to America, all fight fans should stop to take notice. While they may be rooting for Jennings, American fans should also be respectful of the dominance Klitschko has displayed during his Hall of Fame career.

Jennings didn't turn pro until he was 25, but he's made up for lost time.

From 2010-2012, Jennings fought 16 times. He scored the biggest win of his career in his last fight when he won a split decision over another highly touted heavyweight, Mike Perez.

That victory set up the opportunity to face Klitschko. Jennings understands the opportunity he has before him. He insists his life experience is enough to compensate for the lack of in-ring exploits.

Per Nat Gottlieb of HBO Boxing, Jennings said, "I have this fear of not wanting to go back to North Philly, and this fight takes me farther away from there. What I have from my experience is mental toughness, the confidence that I can be resilient, that I'm brave and have heart."

Is the fear of failure enough to succeed? Alone, no, but it is the basis of what he'll need to at least make this fight competitive. Per Odds Shark, Jennings is an 8-1 underdog. As Jennings points out, he's already beaten heavy odds by escaping North Philly.

What's one more mountain to climb?

Prediction

As is the case in most of Klitschko's fights, his size advantage will be the deciding factor. Jennings is not just shorter than the champion but also considerably lighter in weight. Klitschko weighed 245 ¾ pounds in his last fight, which was against Kubrat Pulev. In Jennings' last fight, the one where he faced Perez, he weighed just 222 ¾ pounds.

The challenger does possess an 84" reach, but Klitschko will tower over him and have his way on the inside. By the sixth round, Jennings will be tired, damaged and there for Klitschko to stop. 

A seventh-round TKO victory for Klitschko is a logical expectation for the bout.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2439487-wladimir-klitschko-vs-bryant-jennings-fight-time-date-live-stream-tv-info