Undefeated heavyweight Jared Anderson will fight for the third time this year, his latest opponent being Ukrainian Andrii Rudenko on August 26 in Tulsa.
Anderson justified the hype surrounding him with 14 straight knockouts to start of his professional career. His athletic and spiteful style has many convinced he’s a world champion in waiting.
His fifteenth bout wasn’t as plain sailing – former world champion Charles Martin took him the distance and even had him hurt in the middle stages. Still, with a knockdown secured and staying in control for large portions of the fight, Anderson passed his toughest test.
The Rudenko fight – which will see the 23-year-old headline for the second time in a row – is a way of keeping active. He wants to remind his rivals that he’s the ‘present and future’ of the division.
“I want to stay active and make my case that I am the present and future of the heavyweight division. Rudenko is a tough, durable veteran. I respect what he’s accomplished in the game, but he’s going to regret accepting this challenge.”
The 39-year-old Ukrainian has a record of 35-6 with 21 knockouts, and has mixed it with Alexandr Povetkin, Agit Kabayel and Zhilei Zhang – although all were decision losses.
It’s a slight step back from Martin, but he’s looking to stop the Anderson hype train in its tracks.
“This is a tremendous opportunity, and I am coming to Tulsa to score the big upset. I dedicate this fight to the people of Ukraine, and I can’t wait to show everyone that I still have what it takes to perform at the highest level.”
Top Rank promoter, Bob Arum, is betting big on Anderson being the next star of the top division, and is in no doubt Anderson has titles on the horizon.
“This is another great test for Jared. When you watch him fight, you are seeing a future heavyweight champion of the world. Rudenko is a crafty veteran who has been in there with some top guys. The fans at Hard Rock Tulsa are in for a real treat.”
The bout will be available on ESPN in the States and Sky Sports in the UK, and will be broadcast not long after unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk, defends his belts against Daniel Dubois.