Jennings won the British title in July

Jennings was sent to his knees by a big right hand moments after the opening bell but managed to last the round.

He assumed more and more control as the fight wore on and had Pryce in serious trouble in the middle rounds.

Jennings, from Chorley, eventually took a unanimous points decision to extend his unbeaten record to 28 fights.

"Bradley caught me with some cracking shots but you have got to overcome your hard fights if you are a champion," said the 28-year-old Jennings.

"It's not the style I usually like to fight and I know I'll get a telling-off [from trainer Brian Hughes] but Bradley was making it difficult with his reach.

I'm devastated. But there is still a hell of a lot left in me Bradley Pryce

"It was a cracking fight and it was not the kind of fight I would like to have every night. I will be looking for an easier one next time."

Pryce said he was "devastated" by his defeat but believes the manner of his performance has revitalised a career which seemed to be coming to an end.

"I had him down and went in for the kill and I used up a lot of energy in that first round," said the Newbridge fighter.

"I'm devastated. But there is still a hell of a lot left in me. I am only 24 and I am starting from scratch again. There is still a hell of a lot to learn."

Pryce, fighting for the first time this year, flew out of the traps, sending Jennings to his knees with a crunching right hand.

The champion looked vulnerable as he answered the count of referee Ian John Lewis but Pryce had missed his chance.

Jennings landed with two right uppercuts in the second round, although Pryce and his swinging right hand continued to look dangerous.

But two precise rights from Jennings at the start of the sixth had Pryce reeling and a straight left in the seventh looked as though it might finish proceedings.

But Pryce hung on, took more punishment in round eight and launched a wild final-round assault that had Jennings running for cover once more.