Big-hitting James Tennyson feels he has finally found his natural home at lightweight.
The Belfast banger will once again showcase his vaunted power when he faces Welshman Gavin Gwynne for the vacant British 135lbs title on the first of Matchroom’s Fight Camp series on August 1.
Tennyson (26-3, 22 KOs) was originally scheduled to face Gwynne (12-1, 2 KOs) at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff in May before the intervention of Covid-19, but has impressed with four straight wins since moving up in weight. He was stopped in an IBF 130lbs title bid by Tevin Farmer in 2018, but was badly struggling with the scales at the time.
“My last few fights at super-featherweight were starting to really push me on the weight as the fights went on,” admitted Tennyson. “Once the fight with Tevin Farmer came about it was one fight too many with doing the weight. I’m a natural lightweight now, it’s not a push or a struggle to do the weight. I’m feeling strong, fit and healthy at the weight. Things have gone from strength-to-strength for me with four straight knockout wins so the move up in weight has done me good.
“Not cutting that extra few pounds is really helping my performances. I’m a lot stronger at the weight which makes a big difference. My record shows that I’m one of the hardest-hitting lightweights in the division at the minute. I prepare for 12 hard rounds, but of course I’ll always be looking for that moment where you can just end the fight. My experience and my power will be a big factor in the fight. It always presents itself at some stage, it’s just when that opportunity arises, whether it’s round one or round twelve, I’ll pounce on it.
“This is a massive fight for my career. Gavin is a real tough lad. We’re both two come forward fighters and I believe that our styles are going to gel. It’s going to be a good war and I feel like this is a must-win fight for me. I’ll be ready come fight night. You can’t look past Gavin because he’s a big tough guy but down the line I want another world title shot. Get this one out of the way and I’ll start chasing down that world title.”