NEWARK, New Jersey – A previously unbeaten opponent took Jared Anderson beyond the second round Saturday night, but not much further.

The heavyweight knockout artist unloaded a barrage of power punches on George Arias during the final minute of the third round Saturday night at Prudential Center. Arias appeared disoriented when he went back to his corner, which caused his handlers to stop their scheduled 10-rounder before the fourth round began on the Shakur Stevenson-Shuichiro Yoshino undercard.

The 6-foot-4, 247½-pound Anderson, who was involved in a minor car accident Friday, has knocked out all 14 of his pro opponents. None of his previous five fights went past the second round.

“I’m different,” Anderson told ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna in the ring. “I’m nice. I’m the best heavyweight in the world. I don’t give a f*** what nobody is talking about. You hear me? I made that look easy, man, because he helped me make it look easy, man. He wasn’t throwing punches for real. I kept my defense tight. My jab was on point. It was an easy night.”

The 23-year-old Anderson is expected to make a relatively quick return to the ring.

He’ll headline a card ESPN will televise July 1 from Huntington Center in Anderson’s hometown of Toledo, Ohio. Anderson’s opponent for that fight hasn’t been selected.

The 31-year-old Arias, a Bronx resident, lost for the first time as a pro (18-1, 7 KOs).

Anderson switched to a southpaw stance with just under a minute to go in the third round. He then blasted Arias with a left uppercut and a right hook that forced a staggered Arias to hold him tight.

Another left uppercut by Anderson hurt Arias badly toward the end of the third round. Anderson landed a few more punishing punches before the third round ended and

Anderson and Arias traded left hooks about 1:05 into the third round.

A left-right combination by Anderson landed late in the second round.

A left hook by Arias connected with just under a minute to go in the second round. Arias previously landed a left hook less than 40 seconds into the second round, but it didn’t stop Anderson from coming forward.

Unlike Anderson’s previous opponent, Jerry Forrest, Arias wasn’t willing to engage during the opening round of their fight. Well aware of Anderson’s pulverizing power, Arias tried to keep his distance and often moved away from Anderson’s right hand in the opening three minutes.

Forrest attacked Anderson as soon as their fight started December 10 at Madison Square Garden. Though Forrest had some success early in the first round, Anderson quickly overwhelmed him with power shots and stopped him in the second round.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for krikya360.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.