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Teddy Atlas Says Fighter Tipped As Future Heavyweight Champion Is Overrated

Written by Adam Mustill on 2nd July 2023.

Teddy Atlas

Teddy Atlas has voiced his opinions on an American heavyweight who many have tipped to be a future ruler of the division.

Jared Anderson’s reputation has been steadily growing in boxing’s blue-ribbon division, with 14 explosive knockouts in his first 14 fights. WBC champion, Tyson Fury, who has previously drafted the prospect in for sparring, tipped the 23 year-old to become champion in the not too distant future.

On Saturday night Anderson faced his toughest test to date against former IBF world title holder, Charles Martin. Martin lost his belt to Anthony Joshua back in 2016 and would act as a good yardstick to see if the hype around Anderson was deserved.

On just a few weeks notice, Martin became the first man to take ‘Big Baby’ the distance and, although getting knocked down and losing wide on the scorecards, gave moments of concern to Anderson who had his chin tested for the first time in his career.

Legendary trainer turned analyst, Atlas was far from impressed with the performance and in a series of tweets said Anderson had been ‘oversold’ and wasn’t a ‘great fighter’.

“How badly did they oversell Anderson as the next great heavyweight.

Remember, Martin is the guy who Joshua KO’d fast and easy to win title. He’s not great, but neither is Anderson.”

In his post fight interview, Anderson said he was happy to go the distance and prove he can take shots as well as dish them out.

“I wanted to go the distance. It was my first time. I just wanted to make sure that I could go the distance and especially be able to withstand power the whole 10 rounds. He had power until the last round, and I was happy to get the rounds in.”

He’s expected out again towards the end of summer.