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Jared Anderson Drops Charles Martin And Has Chin Tested On Way To First Decision Win

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 2nd July 2023.

Jared Anderson vs Charles Martin

Jared Anderson was taken the distance for the first time in his career by Charles Martin in front of 7,234 hometown fans in Toledo, Ohio.

The coverage of Anderson in recent weeks tells you everything you need to know about how high hopes are for the 23-year-old, and a hometown headliner makes it clear that Top Rank are all in on him.

Martin – a former IBF World Champion – was drafted in on late notice. The southpaw has 14 years on the youngster, is an inch taller, five pounds heavier and boasts a longer reach. He also has more than double the fights with 26 knockouts.

After ring walking as both a convict and a grinch in the past, Anderson drafted in his high school marching band and sported a Bulldogs mascot mask for his entrance. His dog was at ringside, alongside camp-mate Shakur Stevenson.

Anderson got on the front foot quickly, snapping out a jab and bouncing out of range when Martin looked to return fire. An exchange before the bell showed that neither was here for overtime, and told ‘Prince’ Charles to be careful of the counters.

A good left hook from Anderson – who was fighting orthodox at this stage but is known to switch – landed in the second. Martin took it well and kept circling on the outside until he was caught again, wobbled this time with a right. He landed a couple of lunging straights of his own.

The 23-year-old did switch leftie in the fourth. He had a little less success until the bell, when he sat Martin down hard with a looping overhand right.

He came out orthodox in the fourth, but he switched back once more to land a notable combination on Martin, who was bounced around the ring after landing some straight lefts of his own.

‘Prince’ Charles had by far his best round in the fifth, and gave fans a taste of what Anderson might look like in trouble. Martin tasted blood and emptied the tank, but Anderson managed to stand firm despite being stunned by some big shots. An excellent round of heavyweight boxing and perhaps the first Anderson has been on the losing end of.

Anderson got back behind the jab in the sixth and won the round clearly before entering the seventh round for the first time in his career – it was notably slower from both men.

A flurry from Martin in the eighth – who was proving to be more than a good durability test – saw Anderson holding on in defence. Another more even round, albeit with much less pop than the fifth.

The action had taken its toll on Martin by the penultimate round, with his output slowed considerably. Anderson was warned to keep his punches up as he targeted the body.

He had three minutes to keep his perfect stoppage record, but it wasn’t to be and in fact he was wobbled in the very final seconds himself.

Unanimous decision, Jared Anderson – 98-91, 99-90, 99-90. He thanked his fans and said that he wanted to go the distance to prove he could.

Anderson may just be the most reluctant prospect in boxing. He makes headlines for his knockouts, but his candid talk outside the ropes about a lack of love for the sport have captivated just as many fans. These rounds will be invaluable.

Martin was a solid step up here, and proof that ‘Big Baby’ is nothing if not a good climber – but there were questions asked of him that add a bit of vulnerability. He moves to 15-0 as the intriguing journey continues.