After a five-year break, last man to fight former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko was Bryant Jennings who made a noteworthy comeback to the ring. Jennings, 39, won all eight rounds against the 300-pound Joe Caudle, therefore securing a strong victory in Philadelphia. When Jennings thought back on his comeback, he highlighted the particular difficulties of returning to the sport following such a long break.

“Being out for five years and getting back in, it’s something you can’t really describe,” Jennings said. “This time, I was more conscious, more aware of my actions in the ring, compared to just relying on instincts as before. Even at nearly 40, I didn’t feel any physical disadvantage in this fight.”

Jennings is conscious of the heavyweight division’s current scene, where veteran competitors like Andy Ruiz Jr., Jarrell “Big Baby,” Miller and Dillian Whyte still have significance even as he returns. At 228 pounds, Jennings feels he could soon be competing with these elite veterans with constant attention on his training and skills.

Names like Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker, and Oleksandr Usyk ruled the heavyweight world when Jennings retired in 2019—all of which, like Jennings, are now reaching their 40s. Given Saudi Arabia’s increasing interest in heavyweight boxing, Jennings notes his potential value in this developing market.

Though he has concerns, Jennings is keen to continue his journey in search of strategic matches that align with his goals. “I’m not chasing big names; I’m chasing progress,” Jennings emphasized. “I want each fight to make sense physically, mentally, and technically.”

As he gets ready for his upcoming fight, Jennings is aware of the lessons learnt from his past career, where he confronted a series of challenging opponents in quick succession. More experienced and deliberate now, Jennings is focused on making his comeback a planned and significant chapter in his boxing career.