Hennon ready to rumble
George Hennon is set for his first fight this year, writes Tim Rickson.
The super-lightweight from Maidstone enters into his second consecutive six-rounder against Kasey Bradnum on the stacked Goodwin Boxing GB Fight Series 15 show at York Hall on Saturday. Hennon had five professional fights between 2015 and 2016, winning four and losing one. After a five-year break, he returned and teamed up with trainer George O’Mahoney to make his comeback which has gleaned three wins in five months to take his record to 7-1. The 28-year-old, signed to Goodwin Boxing, entered 2023 as a full-time professional in what is set to be a breakout year having been born and raised in Snodland.
Former scaffolder Hennon has been training around the clock with the help of sponsors for the first time in his career and revealed the main differences he’s noticed since becoming a full-time athlete.
“Recovery,” he said. “Being able to sleep properly, not having to get up at 5am to go for a run before work - I can wake up at a sensible time and feel well recovered.
“In between sessions I can train, go home and recover properly, so I’m ready for the next session. It’s so much better. “I feel energised before every session now and, hand in hand
with the nutrition, I’m seeing much better results.”
With more time and financial support behind him, Hennon has invested in himself more than ever before and has an ace up his sleeve in nutritionist Paul O’Neill, who has helped many world-class boxers achieve their goals.
“He’s worth his weight in gold,” Hennon said. “The difference in physique and how I feel in myself is just like night and day from anything that I’ve done before.
“I feel stronger, even though the weight is coming off.” Hennon’s previous bout was in November when he stole the show to knock out Bulgarian Teodor Nikolov, which was the first knockout of his career. But he confidently assures it’s set to be the first of many.
He now knows he needs another convincing performance if he’s to take the next step forward in his career.
Standing in his way is Bradnum, who had his professional debut in November 2022, losing via stoppage to 4-0 southpaw Jake Henty. He improved in his next fights to hear the final bell, then went on to win his last fight this month.
Hennon said: “He’s definitely better than his record suggests, so he’ll come to have a go.
“He’s not one of these people who is just going to be covering up and running.
“He looks like he comes to fight and has a swing with you, but I’m not taking too much from what he’s doing. I’m just focused on myself, but he’s definitely a step-up. I really do hope he comes with a bit of ambition.”
Hennon plans to challenge for titles at super-lightweight, which is set at a limit of 140lb. If he can chalk up another win, the chance for title shots could follow soon after, he hopes.
“I’ll see what (promoter) Steve Goodwin says and George,” he said.
“But if an opportunity comes up for the Southern Area title in either June or September, then hopefully they will put me in for my first title fight, so [I’ve] just got to keep on pushing on from now.”
York Hall has been hosting boxing events for the past 70 years and it has quickly become a fortress for Hennon and his army of fans.
“Same number again, about 160 came last time, and on track to be the same for this fight,” suggested Hennon.
“[There’s an] unbelievable noise every time I make that ring walk, singing the whole way through, [it’s] just so overwhelming when I look back.”