At Toledo’s Huntington Center, a packed crowd of 7,234 hometown supporters watched on as Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) made his mark. For the first time, Anderson experienced the full stretch of a match, earning a 10-round unanimous victory over former world champ “Prince” Charles Martin (29-4-1, 26 KOs).
From the get-go, Anderson’s athletic prowess shone through, securing him multiple early round victories. Persistent pressure on Martin, coupled with tactical evasions, kept him in the driving seat. Interestingly, in the third round, Anderson switched stance to southpaw and sent Martin to the mat with a swift counter right hook.
With a track record of being a knockout specialist, the 23-year-old sought to end the match but Martin, with his years of experience, weathered the storm. Round five witnessed Anderson slowing his pace, presenting an opening for Martin to unleash several damaging left-handed hits.
Reacting to the situation, Anderson harnessed the power of his jab and intensified his body shots, outperforming Martin in the later rounds. Ultimately, he retained his WBO International and WBC USA titles, with scorecards reading 98-91 and 99-90 2x.
Anderson, basking in the glory of his win, stated, “It was an incredible feeling. The support of my team, family, and the people of Toledo was overwhelming. They rallied behind me throughout the 10 rounds. My gratitude also extends to my opponent, who despite the short notice, performed commendably. I believe we put on a fantastic show for Toledo.”
He further expressed, “I had an urge to experience the distance, to know that I could hold up through 10 rounds against a power-puncher like Martin. He retained his strength till the end, which made it all the more gratifying to complete the rounds.”
Speaking on Martin’s performance, Anderson shared, “I feel I handled his best shots admirably. There was never a moment where I felt shaken or couldn’t defend myself. Did he land a shot that made me reconsider my strategy? Absolutely, hence the tactical adjustments.”
Martin, gracious in his defeat, said, “I accepted the fight with an 11-day notice and gave my best. Anderson has the makings of a champion. He’s set to reach the top. I’m proud of him.”
Martin’s respect for Anderson was evident as he added, “He’s a gifted fighter, possessing a craftiness in the ring. Typically, when I manage to hurt my opponent, I can finish them off. But Anderson, he’s like a nimble middleweight, always managing to dodge even when under duress. He’s bound to become a champion.”