James Tennyson wants to be Double Euro Ring King
James Tennyson [23(19)-3(3)] is determined to become Ireland’s first ever two-weight European champion before the summer ends.
The Belfast fighter won the famous blue strap at super featherweight, along with the Commonwealth crown, with a dramatic victory over Martin J Ward back in May of last year.
That win allowed him to challenge for the IBF world title, but he moved up to lightweight following his defeat to slick champ Tevin Farmer.
‘The Assassin’, who boasts a 73% knockout ratio, looked more than at home at the new weight when he took out the previously unbeaten Garry Neale at the Ulster Hall in February.
The MHD fighter brought his power up with him and stopped the Portsmouth native within two rounds.
The 25-year-old, who was a double Irish super featherweight champion and BBBoC Celtic titleholder, fights for a second time at 135lbs on the ‘Summer Brawl’ show and hopes victory in his six-rounder at the Europa Hotel on Saturday May 18th will lead to a second European title shot.
Having looked drained at super featherweight for a period, lightweight seems to suit the Kronk fighter.
“I started out at featherweight and then moved up to super-feather as I am getting naturally bigger as I get older. The good thing is that I seem to carry my power with me,” noted Tennyson.
“The aim now is to win at the Europa and take it from there. I am high up in the European rankings and we will looking to get a shot at that if I can in the coming months.”
The European champion at lightweight is currently Francesco Patera. The Belgian, who lost to Sean Dodd, but beat the touted Lewis Ritson, looks set for a voluntary defense and would likely try to avoid Tennyson.
However, the Poleglass puncher is #6 in the rankings and – with those ahead of him being Edis Tatli, Luke Campbell, Anthony Crolla, Lee Selby, and Ricky Burns – Tennyson is the highest-rated fighter that actually wants a shot at the belt and the path may be clear for a shot soon.