Media pundits, diehards, and Jared Anderson’s fans had their own assumptions as to how his showdown against Charles Martin would play out. Yet, well before the opening bell officially rang, the 23-year-old knew he was in for a long and arduous night.
It didn't take long before an all-out brawl broke out in the center of the ring. Anderson, by and large, tagged the former heavyweight champion repeatedly and forced him to go into retreat mode. Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) hit him with right hands, lefts, short hooks inside, and uppercuts, but Martin (29-4-1, 26 KOs) stood strong in the pocket.
Over 7,000 Fans of Anderson that packed the house at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio, were happy that he picked up the win but several were somewhat surprised that he went the full 10-round distance for the first time in his career. Considering Martin’s pedigree, however, Anderson wasn’t surprised.
“I definitely didn't expect him to go anywhere,” said Anderson to a group of reporters.
A win is a win but scoring eye-catching knockouts is what Anderson has built his name on in a short amount of time.
Now knowing what it’s like to push his body past its breaking point and dig deep - was a plus according to Anderson. Usually, whenever he connects with a monster right or left hand, his opponents simply crumble to the turf and remain there.
Everything on Saturday night was a learning experience for Anderson but that doesn’t mean he fully enjoyed the lesson. Experience is what he desperately needed but if Martin’s chin wasn't seemingly made out of thick steel, Anderson reveals that he would have gladly accepted a quick night at the office.
“I would've stopped him if I could have. I didn't get the stoppage and I’m more than ok with that.”