Heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings inks deal with Bob Arum's Top Rank, Inc.

Heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings has officially signed an exclusive promotional agreement with Top Rank Inc., the company announced Friday.

Jennings, 32, a Philadelphian who is co-promoted by Antonio Leonard Productions, has not fought since December 2015, when he lost only the second fight of his career to undefeated Cuban Luis Ortiz (27-0, 23 KOs) by seventh-round TKO. The interim WBA title bout was only Jennings' second title shot. His first occured in April 2015 when he lost a tough unanimous decision to then unified champion Wladimir Klitschko (64-5, 53 KOs) at Madison Square Garden.

"I'm the best-conditioned heavyweight in boxing and my ultimate goal is to win a world title for Bob Arum at Top Rank.  He deserves it,” said Jennings (19-2, 10 KOs).  “And being with Top Rank means I will get an opportunity to fight for a world title.  I have the strength, desire, experience and the smartness in the ring to get that world title.  This is such an opportunity for me being with Top Rank."

Bob Arum, the 85-year-old Hall of Fame promoter and founder of Top Rank, said,   "The heavyweight division is wide open now and it's a great opportunity for Bryant to return to boxing after twice battling for the heavyweight title. In this present landscape, a busy heavyweight contender with a few quality wins can find himself in the title picture very easily."  

Bryant is the third heavyweight in the Top Rank stable, joining Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz.

Josh Dubin, who co-manages Jennings with James Prince, said, "I am thrilled that Bryant has a chance to re-ignite his career with such a talented team at Top Rank. They know how to position Bryant for another run at the heavyweight world title. James and I are confident that Bryant will indeed be world champion with Top Rank leading the way."

The deal was announced as Arum and Top Rank have brokered a deal with ESPN to have a series of fights televised on ESPN. The series will kick off with Manny Pacquiao's July 2 welterweight title fight against Jeff Horn from Australia. Because of the time difference, the fight will be telecast in the U.S. at 9 p.m. ET from Brisbane. As many as 60,000 people are expected for the live gate at Suncorp Stadium.