From The Federal Reserve Bank To Madison Square Garden, A Philadelphia Boxer Fights For A World Championship
By Tim Jimenez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- A world championship is on the line Saturday night for a Philadelphia boxer who fought his way from working at the Federal Reserve Bank to living his dream.
Madison Square Garden's bright lights will be shining down on North Philly's own Bryant Jennings, the underdog in a world heavyweight title match against Wladimir Klitschko. This is the biggest fight of Jennings' career, which began while he was a Federal Reserve building mechanic.
"Bryant said hey, you know what? I'm gonna be a boxer. I'm gonna go all the way. He's Rocky Balboa," says Harry Habina, a senior mechanic, part of a group heading to New York to cheer for their former co-worker.
Jennings is undefeated with 19 wins but despite racking up the victories, he kept showing up.
"The Benjamin Franklin bridge is right around the corner so he would usually take a run over the bridge and come back for lunch," Habina says. "And then right after work he would train, run, workout."
It was only last year when Jennings left the bank, after eight years.
So, no matter what happens Saturday, Habina says he's already a champion. "With his attitude, I've spoken to him a few times in the past week, he's ready."