Fight week is here, and Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson is home. Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs), who was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, will fight former world champion “Prince” Charles Martin on Saturday evening at the Huntington Center.
Martin (29-3-1, 26 KOs), who accepted the fight on less than two weeks’ notice after Zhan Kossobutskiy was forced to withdraw, is the most notable opponent of Anderson’s career. He briefly held the IBF heavyweight crown in 2016.
Anderson kicked off fight week with a pair of community events. First, he stopped by Tony Packo’s, a Toledo landmark that has been a staple of the city since 1932. Anderson, in keeping with a Packo’s tradition that includes former U.S. Presidents and stars of stage and screen, signed a hot dog bun that will be encased and displayed at the restaurant.
Later that afternoon, Anderson hosted about 75 local children at The Believe Center, a Toledo-based nonprofit. He signed posters for the children and discussed his journey from Toledo to the top of the heavyweight division.
Anderson-Martin and a high-stakes heavyweight co-feature between Arslanbek Makhmudov and Raphael Akpejiori will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
This is what Anderson had to say Wednesday after his hometown tour.
“I enjoy giving back to my community and talking with the kids. I come from the same place they do, and I want to show them what can be achieved with hard work.”
“I came home because I wanted to bring a great event to my city. I’ve wanted to fight here ever since I turned pro, and the time is now. The atmosphere will be crazy, and I’m going to put on a show.”
“It’s about getting the victory and moving on to the next one.”
Should be easy work for real baby. But, let’s see
Anderson is a good dude. Anyone that says otherwise doesn’t know him.
G, any fighter, politician, sports figure or human being that wore or wears blm on their trunks is NOT a good person. Whether he made a mistake wearing it or has publicly came out and said that it was mistake, which I highly doubt until then he is not a good person. Boxing wise this will be a test which I believe he will pass, but I don’t think he goes on to be a champion.
Jared is 23 yrs old, still a baby.
I did a lot of dumb shit until I matured later in life. So glad that social media did not exist when I was young.
Martin is going to be a big test, will definitely get an idea of Big Baby’s ceiling after this fight.
So did I, but I never wore racist crap on my trunks when I fought nor did I take it to my job. Real talk.
Naw, him call his opponent a b***h right after knocking him down/out showed what a punk he really is. Can’t wait til he’s stretched.
Anderson’s hunger, youth, and aggressiveness will push him to the victory. Martin is not the same fighter he was a few years ago. Makes a person wonder Martin taking the fight on two weeks’ notice if ring rust will be an issue. Anderson is trying to make a statement in this fight that he is building up to bigger and better things ahead. Anderson has good basic skills as a heavyweight. The one thing he needs to work on is better head movement in his defense. He tends to leave his head straight up making his head a stationery target for counters. Anderson TKO.
I wish Martin had a full camp and the awareness of all that that entails, however, this seems like it could be a good test for both. One to see where Anderson is really at, and second to see what Martin might still have in the tank.
Johnathan York
why?? he always looks very average. even always……
29-3 with 26ko’s is average? Martin is no Muhammad Ali, but definitely not average. 6’5″ with an 80″ reach and solid boxing skills even on a weeks notice can be dangerous for anyone.
SteveG
Have you ever seen him fight?
Martin has ZERO 0 good wins. and only has only been in 1 good fight. (ortiz who may be over 50yrs old)
Why would you not want to see each fighter at the top of their current game and ability before entering the ring? Your question doesn’t make any sense. No one wants to see someone fight somebody who hasn’t even had the time to get in shape and be prepared. I always want to see the fighters fight at their best. It leaves no excuses and it gives the winner a legitimate W.
I do believe you are correct. It eliminates excuses, it says hey I put everything into training to be at my best, and usually makes for a great fight.
Johnathan York
just saying that it wouldnt make any difference
Co-feature should be interesting as well-two KO punchers. Akpejiori hasn’t really fought anybody but at +650 odds over an older opponent has a chance.
Should be an easy one for big baby, Martin is shot..
I wonder if Charles connects a good punch early on if Jared’s chin can take it
Not sure fighting Martin means he is at the top of the heavyweight division just yet