Ex-champ Jennings tips Scott for the top

The reigning Commonwealth Games gold medal winner has enlisted the help of Jennings as he plots a path to the top of the professional game.

Light middleweight Fitzgerald has been training at the ex-welterweight star’s gym at Coppull Mill over the past month.

He is set to have Jennings in his corner – alongside his dad Dave – for his fourth outing as a pro later this month against Darryl Sharp in the “Leeds Rumble”.

Jennings – who once fought for the WBO world title against the legendary Miguel Cotto in New York, losing in five brutal rounds, has been impressed with what he has seen so far from Fitzgerald.

“Scott’s a very talented kid,” said Jennings. “All the basics are good.

“He’s been at a high level as an amateur. He’s obviously won the National ABA and won the Commonwealth Games.

“But I feel the professional game is more suited to Scott. He’s got a good jab and has good power.

“The thing is he’s a nice kid as well – he’s always in the gym wanting to learn and work hard.

“Potentially, he can go very far in the sport.

“Obviously, he’s got to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground – stay level headed.

“He needs to listen and learn in practice and then when it’s fight night, he needs to go out and execute the plan.

“If he does that then I feel he can go very, very far.”

Jennings, who won the British title during his career, retired from boxing around three years ago after injury took its toll.

His last fight was in 2010 – a defeat against a young Kell Brook, who has since gone on to become world champion.

After hanging up his gloves, Jennings announced that he would be setting up a gym – working as a trainer alongside his brother Dave.

As well as working with Fitzgerald, Jennings is the long-time trainer of Blackpool’s Matty Askin and has high hopes for 18-year-old Mark Jeffers, who hails from Chorley.

“I am striving to be a good trainer, like I was as a fighter,” he said.

“I will work as hard as I can to get these lads where they need to be.

“I will be pulling out all the stops and making sure no stone is left unturned.”