While very few top heavyweights in boxing have a fight scheduled at the moment, there will be two of the most exciting contenders in the division seeing action on Saturday at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Unbeaten WBO #7, WBA #8, WBC #9 heavyweight Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs) is as much as a 14:1 favorite over former IBF heavyweight champion “Prince” Charles Martin (29-3-1, 26 KOs), who stepped in on one week’s notice to the big ESPN-televised card fight.
In the co-feature, WBC #5, WBA #5 heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov (16-0, 15 KOs) is a 10:1 favorite over unbeaten 6’8 Raphael Akpejiori (15-0, 14 KOs).
Don’t expect either fight to go the distance.
Martin about to stop the hype train Big Baby.
I doubt that very much. I’ll eat my computer and cell phone if that happens. If in the highly unlikelyhood it does, you’ll know why you haven’t heard back from me.
The computer will be the hard one
“Don’t expect either fight to go the distance.”
Pretty safe bet that either will.
As far as the Main Event, Martin, despite being an ex-Champion, doesn’t really have any great wins on his record, but he is a 6’5″ southpaw with some power, and Anderson doesn’t have the greatest defense. I still think Anderson will win, but 14:1 is kind of steep.
Raphael Akpejiori is taking a HUGE step up in competition here, and got a late start in the sport. Gut feeling is he’s gone early in this one…
Martin took this fight on a 1 week notice. Yeah 14:1 is about right
If Anderson fights like he’s fought his last two fights with just almost over-aggressive offense, Martin has a chance to catch him with something. I don’t think that fight goes rounds though USF. I’m thinking between the two of them it’ll be a combined 6 rounds or less, but it’s heavyweights and anything can happen.
@Noccowt Good point. No idea what kind of shape Martin is in, and he doesn’t have much time to prep for what’s coming.
@Lucie Actually, what I meant to say in the above post was that it’s a safe bet that NEITHER will go the distance.
Anderson was pretty reckless, especially in the first round against Forrest. He was caught flush a few times as a result, but was able to just overwhelm Forrest eventually. Martin is a different fighter than Forrest, but I expect a similar outcome….maybe Martin tags him a few times early, but gets overwhelmed eventually. Curious how good Anderson’s chin is, because he’s lacking a bit in defense…
If Forest had like surprising power, Anderson would have had some problems in that fight. He basically just tried to run that man over, could not care less what he did in return.
Wouldn’t mind seeing Anderson-Makhmudov next if they don’t reschedule Zhan. That would be fun.
Lucie, ever come across the “Countries of Antarctica” quiz on Sporcle? Take a look. You’re welcome.
I have come across that one USF and there’s two – one requires and answer (which is literally “none”) and the other one which doesn’t need you to do anything besides click on play quiz lol!
@Lucie That quiz is an effortless way to pad your stats
Hey USF- You’re the one who told me about Akperjiori a couple years ago. I heard him interviewed shortly after and he didn’t lack confidence at all. He was talking about fighting Wilder and Fury! Maybe reality has set in for him since then. If not, will set in for him this Saturday! I expect him to get crushed. It sounds like he has a lot going on for him outside of boxing. I think he was studying to be an engineer!
@Kris I remember discussing Akperjiori back then. There was a lot of discussion about him on other site I visit when he fought former USF Running Back Mike Ford and won by KO. I’m expecting him to get crushed here as well though. Pretty sure he’s never tasted power like he will from Makhmudov, and when he does, he knows he has that engineering degree to fall back on.
Charles Martin is a huge step up in competition for Anderson. Much more difficult than the slow robot he was initially scheduled to fight. Martin is going to make Anderson prove his stock. I expect Anderson to survive some shaky moments early and earn a decision. I don’t foresee knockout though. Martin may fade due to the short notice unless he was already in shape, but he is not an easy out, just ask King Kong.
After Anderson’s last fight, he was saying he wanted to step up his level of competition. I came on here and suggested Charles Martin, and for some reason got a bunch of dislikes! (why would anyone dislike that?) As fate would have it, here they are! I’ve seen fights with this scenario take place a hundred times and it’s usually the younger, hungrier fighter who comes out on top. Charles Martin is a big step up for Anderson and a fine fighter, but it’s not like he was Lennox Lewis or Holyfield. I think Anderson will prove he’s ready for even more elite competition.
Kris, I agree Martin is a big step up. If he’s in shape, then he’ll have an opportunity to KO Anderson. The week notice may actually play to his advantage too if he’s in shape. People always focus on one guy taking the fight on short notice and forget that both guys have only one week to prepare for each other. Martin surely knows one punch against Anderson and he’s in line for another title shot. I expect Anderson to win, but short of Martin being in terrible shape and going for it early knowing he has no stamina I think it’ll go longer than expected. I don’t know the round Vegas has set the bar at, but I’d watch the weigh in and strongly consider the over if Martin looks his usual self. I think Anderson in 6 or 7 in a more controlled envelope than his last fight.
Both Anderson and Makhmudov will be exposed soon, just like Tony Yoka was. Probably not in these fights, but if their fights do last a couple of rounds a person will again see they are actually quite average.
Martin has one shot only: a missile right down the middle after a half step back. If he can make Anderson overreach and catch him clean, it could be an upset. However, Martin likes to pitty-pat with his jab in the first round which could spell trouble and set the tone for an early finish.
Martin is there to get paid ..probably received a 100k..no training needed .3 rounds best
I believe you mean “missile left” considering Martin is a southpaw.