Jared Anderson’s high-profile bout in his hometown of Toledo is finally here.
After several months of buildup, hype, and even a couple last-minute changes thrown his way, Anderson is set to square off with Charles Martin in a 10-round heavyweight match Saturday night at the Huntington Center. The fight, which is the last of nine matches to take place throughout the evening, will be Anderson’s first in Toledo as a professional and his first main event on ESPN.
“I’m ready to go,” Anderson said. “Happy to be in the environment, happy to be surrounded by friends, family, and just get this show on the road.”
The 23-year-old Anderson has been nothing short of spectacular since turning pro in 2019. The 6-foot-4 fighter, who checked in at 243.4 pounds during Friday’s weigh-in at the Huntington Center, is 14-0 with 14 knockouts.
Only two of his matches have gone past the third round, with his longest being a sixth-round knockout vs. Kingsley Ibeh in February 2021.
“I’m up for the challenge,” Martin said. “He’s a big, strong, young lion.”
Meanwhile, Martin (6-5, 250.5 pounds) is 29-3-1 with 26 knockouts. The 37-year-old southpaw has only fought in three matches since Anderson turned pro, with his last being a fourth-round knockout against Toledo native Devin Vargas in September.
But the St. Louis native and former International Boxing Federation world title holder is ready to roll.
“I’m like a seasoned veteran, man,” Martin said. “All I’ve got to do is just listen to my coaches. We do the work in the gym and put it together.”
Martin, who had been training for other scheduled fights, got the call after Kazakhstan’s Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-0, 18 knockouts), Anderson’s original opponent, was forced to withdraw last week due to a delay in obtaining his visa.
Martin called it a “no-brainer” to accept the fight in Toledo, a familiar place for him. He won the 2012 National PAL Boxing Championship in Toledo shortly before turning pro.
“I’m coming to win,” Martin said. “I’m coming to do my thing. I’m coming to shine, and I’m coming to close out my career in good fashion.”
Anderson has certainly gained respect from his peers as his boxing career has taken off.
Raphael Akpejiori (15-0, 14 knockouts), who will face Arslanbek Makhmudov (16-0, 15 knockouts) in a 10-round heavyweight fight that will also air on ESPN, was impressed with Anderson after training with him recently.
“For his size, he has a lot of power, a lot of speed. His conditioning is amazing,” Akpejiori said. “He works very hard, too, you can tell.
“He has a great persona. There’s a reason why we’re here today in his hometown because of who he is and what he’s done.”
Added DeAndre Ware, who along with Tyler McCreary are Toledo boxers who will also fight on Saturday: “To come from where he came from until now speaks volumes. It doesn’t happen for everybody, everybody doesn’t make it. But he’s made it, he’s there, he’s here, and I’m proud of him.”
For Anderson, who is ranked No. 7 in the World Boxing Organization, No. 8 in the World Boxing Association, and No. 9 in the World Boxing Council, he has high hopes in giving the city and fans of boxing a memorable performance Saturday.
“You see Jared Anderson. You see a show, from the time I walk out to the time I’m doing my post-fight interview,” Anderson said. “You’re going to see entertainment, you’re going to see a show.”
First Published June 30, 2023, 7:47 p.m.
