James Tennyson has revealed his ambitions to challenge WBC Lightweight World champion Devin Haney as well as compatriot Ryan Garcia and believes he can “mix it” with the pair.
The Belfast man has registered four consecutive victories since his moving up to Lightweight, after falling in short in his bid for World title glory against Tevin Farmer in 2018.
‘The Assassin’ (26-3, 22 KOs) believes he will secure a maiden World title at 135lbs and believes the division will alter dramatically following the mooted undisputed fight between Vasily Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez.
And Tennyson insists he would fancy himself against rising American stars Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, if the opportunities present themselves.
Speaking with Chris Lloyd in the latest episode of Matchroom Boxing’s podcast ‘The Lockdown Tapes,’ Tennnyson said: “I think that Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez are the two top men at the weight.
“Once Lomachenko moves down it opens up the whole division.
“As for the other guys like Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney I am confident I can mix it with any of them and win a World Title at this weight.”
Tennyson was due to battle Welshman Gavin Gwynne for the vacant British Title in Cardiff in May before the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
And the 26-year-old, who signed with Matchroom in January says he has no issues with fighting behind closed doors on one of the four scheduled shows set to place in the gardens of the Matchroom Headquarters.
“With how things are I would fight behind closed doors not a problem,” said Tennyson.
“I’ve seen the venue for Fight Camp at Matchroom HQ and it looks great. When you fight on the big shows early it’s usually empty barring your own support so it wouldn’t make much difference.
“Like a lot of fighters, I have itchy knuckles and have plans of becoming a World Champion – because of that I need to get this fight, win, and then kick on.
“This will be my first British Title win, I’m really looking forward to it and it will be a great fight against Gavin Gwynne.”
