By Craig Daly: Jared Anderson takes another step in the journey to a world title when he takes on former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin this Saturday, July 1, in a 10-round bout at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.
The co-feature bout between unbeaten heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov (16-0, 15 KOs) and Raphael Akpejiori (15-0, 14 KOs) might overshadow the main event because both of these guys can punch and will be looking to end it early in their ten round fight.
The 37-year-old southpaw Martin (29-3-1, 26 KOs) is viewed by boxing fans as a little past it, but he’s still dangerous, as we witnessed in his fight last year against Luis Ortiz in dropping him twice before being stopped in the sixth.
Jared Anderson vs. Charles Martin card will be shown this Saturday, July 1, on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.
Martin has won four out of his last five fights and has looked good. In his last contest, he stopped former amateur star Devin Vargas in the fourth round last September.
Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs) is making a quick ring return after destroying George Arias in a third round knockout last April.
Jared’s promoters at Top Rank likely want to move Anderson quickly to take advantage of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury still holds a belt, and it would be an easy fight to make.
Anderson needs another impressive victory on Saturday night for his promoters to continue to move him upward toward a title shot.
Given Anderson’s talent, he might need to work his way into a mandatory position before he can fight for a world title. He can’t count on Fury because the British fighter appears to be winding down his career and might be retiring soon.
Complete card
Jared Anderson vs. Charles Martin
Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Raphael Akpejiori
DeAndre Ware vs. Decarlo Perez
Tiger Johnson vs. Jonathan Montreal
Abdullah Mason vs. Alex de Oliveira
Tyler McCreary vs. Deivi Julio
Dante Benjamin Jr. vs. Mirady Zola
Husam Al Mashhadi vs. Rance Ward
Jahi Tucker vs. Nicklaus Flaz
Jared Anderson must keep his guard up on Saturday night because he leaves himself wide open when he squares up on his opponent, going on the attack. The southpaw Charles Martin is too good of a puncher for Anderson to be reckless against.
Anderson dealing with pressure
Jared Anderson: “What stopped you from falling victim to all the extra stuff, all the fast cars, all the beautiful women, going to different countries, and what didn’t deter you from staying focused into your craft?” Anderson said to Top Rank Boxing.
Roy Jones Jr: “Like you are right now, you want to make the money to change the world. In order to make the money to change the world, you got a choice to make. You can take chances, drink, party, smoke, bad women, fast cars, and motorcycles.
“All those things are risky as to stop you from getting where you want to go.
Anderson: “I know I’m good at this, and I know I can have fun in this, but this might not just be what completely makes me happy.”
Jones Jr: “The higher power gave you more. When there’s more given, more is expected. So guess what? Jared has an obligation to the higher power, to all of those back in Toledo, where he came from, to his mother to succeed.
“That’s just the obligation that comes with it. You let a lot of people down if you quit right now, people that love you for real. Some people that’ll give their life to you because your mama give her life right now for her son. You understand that?”
Anderson: “But it’s the pressure.”
Jones Jr: “I understand the pressure, but God built us different. You just tell me that.
Anderson: “I’m 23.”
Jones Jr: “So sometimes there’s a lot put on us, but it’s put on us because we’re the ones that can take it. Jared might not think he can sometimes. Jared might get messed up sometimes, but Jared can wear these shoes. That’s why Jared has it. Do you understand me?”
Anderson: “I didn’t ask for it.”
Jones Jr: “Too bad. Jared has a destiny that Jared can’t run from, and Jared ain’t no coward. I already know that. So Jared will make up his mind, and let’s go. You got to ride that horse, son. I’m sorry, you got to ride that horse. I rode it.
“You ain’t got to ride it until the wheels come off, but you got to ride it. Do you understand me? You got to ride it until you get where you want to be in life; then, you can get off of it. We going to ride the horse. That’s what we got to do.
Dedication & hard work needed
“The saying goes, ‘Winning isn’t everything,’ but we all know that doesn’t always ring true. I’ve been around long enough to know that talent alone is not enough to make it to the top. It takes hard work and dedication, and it also takes having the right team around you.
“Jared Anderson possesses all the ingredients for success. Despite his growing fame and the attention he’s receiving, he remains grounded and focused. For Jared, it’s not just about championships and accolades. His legacy is rooted in his home, his family, and giving back to those around him.
“Using his success and pain to bolster a community and inspire the next generation. In that process, Jared earned the right to carry the torch for American heavyweight boxing, but one knows that right does not come without consequences.
“Each victory, no matter how small, is met with another challenge and another and another. To add to that, the weight of an entire nation rests on his shoulders. It’s easy to get caught up in expectations, the hype, and outside opinions, but Jared knows he can’t let that distract him from his goals.
“He knows to be great; he has to stay true to himself. He’s the future of American heavyweight boxing, and I’m excited to see his journey unfold. So mark my words, people. Remember the name, Jared Anderson.”
