By Dan Ambrose: Jared Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) insists that he was never hurt by Charles Martin (29-4-1, 26 KOs) during their fight on Saturday night, and he says he’s ready to take on a top-ten-level contender next after winning a 10 round unanimous decision at the Huntington Center in Toledo.
Jared was in serious denial about not being hurt because Martin took him to his boots several times tonight with left-hand bombs in their 10 round contest.
It looked to many boxing fans on social media that Martin clipped Anderson several times in the fight, particularly in rounds five and ten, in which his legs buckled, and he had to hold on to keep the 6’5″ southpaw from finishing him off.
Anderson won the fight on all three judges’ scorecards 98-91, 99-90, and 99-90. Jared’s fighting style tonight was similar to his Top Rank stable mate lightweight Shakur Stevenson, with the way he would pull back when Martin would attempt to land shots.
The pull-back style worked for the most part for Anderson, but it made him look bad because even when Martin would use feints, he would pull back and retreat.
Boxing fans want to be entertained when they watched heavyweights, so it was a little off-putting to see Jareed fighting like a defensive fighter like Shakur Stevenson.
Jared Anderson: “For sure, without a doubt. I think I took his best shot very well,” said Jared Anderson after the fight, being interviewed by the State of Boxing following his win over Charles Martin. “I don’t think there was a time in the fight where I looked instead where I couldn’t hold my own.
“Do I feel like he hit me with a good shot and stunned me? Yes, I felt like he hit me with a good shot that made me aware. I had to readjust. ‘He hit me with a good a** shot.’ So, I had to readjust and get back on my game plan.
“I’m soaking up the game right now and following the path. No specific names but anyone in the top ten. Let’s get it on. 100% staying active. I’m trying to get at least two more fights this year. I put on a show,” said Anderson.
Charles Martin: “I took the fight on eleven days’ notice. I did the best I could. He’s a real champion. He’ll be taking his way to the top real soon. He’s really good. He’s a crafty boxer.
“Usually, when I catch a fighter and hurt them, I can finish up. I can follow up when they’re still standing up. If they don’t fall and get an eight count, usually, I can follow up and do damage and put them away. He is like a little middleweight.
“The dude is crafty. Even when he was rocked, he was able to maneuver and get out of the way. He’s going to be a champion, he’s definitely going to be a champion.”