Szpilka visa issues cleared, fight with Jennings on for Jan. 25

Szpilka visa issues cleared, fight with Jennings on for Jan. 25

A week ago, things weren’t looking good for Polish heavyweight Artur Szpilka. He arrived in the United States from his homeland looking to finish preparations for his HBO debut on Jan. 25 against fellow unbeaten heavyweight Bryant Jennings at Madison Square Garden. Instead, Szpilka was turned back around and forced to return home due to issues with his visa.

Those issues have thankfully been cleared up and Szpilka (16-0, 12 knockouts) has returned to the United States anxious to get in the ring with Jennings. Szpilka had a breakthrough 2013 where he engaged in a fringe Fight of the Year candidate with Mike Mollo on ESPN3 in Chicago, later defeating Mollo much clearer in a rematch later in the year.

Szpilka will get his chance against an able contender in Jennings (17-0, 9 KOs), a fighter who built his following under the banner of Main Events, headlining a number of NBC Sports televised cards before bolting to Gary Shaw Productions at the end of last year. The two meet as part of the Mikey Garcia-Juan Carlos Burgos card, with the winner getting closer to earning a heavyweight title shot.

Szpilka is an exciting heavyweight, a bit of an oxymoron over the past decade. He currently is in Chicago but will make the trip to New York on Monday ahead of his anticipated clash with Jennings.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com