Jared Anderson made a splash in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio. The world could be next.
The 23-year-old heavyweight, who has stopped all 14 of his professional opponents, will face his toughest test to date when he takes on former employer Charles Martin on Saturday at the Huntington Center in Toledo.
Anderson’s first main event will be televised on ESPN and ESPN+, which is an important milestone. And this is his first time fighting on his old court.
“This is special,” Anderson said Thursday at his final press conference before the event. “I am extremely excited. I am the talk of the town. It was a new feeling. I am very happy to be here. I happily embrace it. I’m happy to be an inspiration to the kids.”
Anderson is being marketed by Top Rank as the next heavyweight.
As far as possible. He has used a deadly combination of physicality, ability, and strength to destroy everyone in his path, making him a potential star in the sport’s glam department. this sport.
However, it is a step-by-step process. And Martin could be his biggest step forward.
Anderson was scheduled to take on undefeated slugger Zhan Kossobutskiy of Khazakhstan but Kossobutskiy was withdrawn less than two weeks ago because he failed to obtain a visa.
Martin, who immediately agreed to join, could be a tougher opponent for Anderson.
The 37-year-old man from St. Louis has had his ups and downs. He briefly held the IBF belt in 2016 but was stopped by Anthony Joshua in his first defense and disqualified. defeated by Luis Ortiz after he brought down the Cuban twice early last year.
So who knows what we’ll see from him on Saturday? However, one thing is obvious: He has a solid skill set and top punching power, as well as more experience than Anderson.
Anderson said he’s not worried about adapting to a new opponent in the short term. Both Kossobutskiy and Martin are left-handed, which should help him make the transition.
“I came to prepare for anything and everything,” he said. “Fortunately, he is still a southerner. I think that’s the biggest reason we chose him after the change. He’s also a bigger name. He is a former world champion. He has also fought with several world owners.
“…It didn’t throw a monkey in the plan, but it certainly got us back to the drawing board, watching the tapes, and back with a plan.”
Meanwhile, Martin (29-3-1, 26 KOs) is taking the opportunity to regain some of the positions he lost.
He said he was training when he received the order to fight Anderson. He last fought in September, when he recovered from a loss to Ortiz by stopping Devin Vargas for four innings in Los Angeles, where he was stationed.
“I was happy to get the call,” Martin said. “I’ve worked really hard, so I’m glad the hard work is finally paying off. I gave my best. I didn’t leave any stones. You can’t do that in this game.
“I am ready for the challenge. He is a strong young lion. And here I am.”
All of Anderson’s opponents have been revealed. They just don’t last long.
