Trainer saw Jennings' talent before boxer did

NEW YORK - Bryant Jennings popped the collar of his white windbreaker, straightening it out to give his words a flash of flair.

"It's been one hell of a ride," the heavyweight from North Philadelphia said late Saturday night. "Five years. January of 2009. I walked into the boxing gym. And look at me now."

Now he's the No. 1 contender for the World Boxing Council championship with a chance to be the city's second heavyweight champion since Joe Frazier. The 29-year-old Jennings (19-0, 10 knockouts) secured his title shot with a split-decision win over Mike Perez (20-1-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

His ride began in 2007, when Fred Jenkins, the recreation leader at North Philadelphia's city-owned Athletic Recreation Center, spotted Jennings on the center's basketball court. Jenkins also operates the center's boxing gym.

"I saw his talent before he even knew he had talent," said Jenkins, who remains his trainer. "I could see his physical strength. Every time I saw him I always asked, 'When are you going to come in and try the gym?' He said, 'I don't know, man. I'll be in there.' "

Jennings entered the boxing gym at 26th and Master Streets two years later. He said he is not sure what took him so long.

"I came in and immediately - boom," Jennings said.

His promoter, Gary Shaw, said Jennings should fight for the WBC title in the spring. Jennings has to first wait for current champion Bermane Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs) to defend the title in November or December against Deontay Wilder, who has won all 31 of his fights by knockout.

A world title would make Jennings the city's first heavyweight champion since Tim Witherspoon in 1986. He would be his trainer's third world champion and the first since junior middleweight David Reid in 1999. Jenkins, a former fighter, has been around the sport for 43 years and began training boxers in 1973. He said it feels like 43 years since his last champion.

"This is Fred's dream. This is more so his dream than mine," Jennings said. "I just have to roll with the punches. It's a career that actually chose me and I'm successful in it, so I have to take it to the top. But this here is his dream. This is his life, his whole life."