Jared Anderson Decisions Charles Martin; Mason And Makhmudov Look Impressive
Rising heavyweight contender Jared “Big Baby” Anderson (15-0, 14KO) overcame adversity against late replacement and former IBF world champion Charles “Prince” Martin (29-4-1, 26KO)
Big Baby came out aggressive from the bell, attacking with that jab and straight right hand. Switching from southpaw to orthodox, Anderson confused his opponent before landing a counter-right hook that dropped Martin to the canvas in the third round.
Anderson, fighting in front of the home crowd, was putting on a one-sided performance. However, Martin came back in round five behind a barrage of straight left hands that had the young man on wobbly legs. Yet, Big Baby made the adjustment by returning to the jab and started attacking the body, which swung the fight back in his favor.
Martin created another scary moment in the last seconds of the final round with another left hand that forced Anderson to hold until the bell.
The judge’s scorecards were 99-90, 99-90, and 98-91 in favor of Big Baby, who showed a chin and passed the biggest test of his career.
ABDULLAH MASON SHINES IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN FANS
Lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason (9-0, 8KO) increased his knockout steak to five after demolishing Alex De Oliveira (20-5, 14KO) in two easy rounds.
This fight was a mismatch early as Mason was sharp and on point from the start of the bell, controlling the fight with the jab, footwork, and counterpunches. Mason was hitting Oliveiri at will from different angles.
In the second round, the Ohioan fighting in front of the home crowd landed a barrage of punches that had Oliveira hurt badly up against the ropes. Realizing his opponent was ready to go, Mason unleashed a three-punch combination that sent his opponent to the canvas.
The referee started to administer the count but quickly waved off the fight after witnessing Oliveira fall facedown after trying to get up. This was an impressive win for Mason, who continues to make noise as a top prospect.
ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV EASILY DEFEATS RAPHAEL AKPEJIORI
In a battle featuring two hard-hitting undefeated heavyweights, Arslanbek Makhmudov (17-0, 16KO) ran over Raphael Akpejiori (15-1, 14KO) in two quick rounds.
Makhmudov came out looking to end the fight early as a right hand narrowly missed that was thrown with bad intentions. He didn’t let up with the aggression, making it an ugly, rough fight that made Akpejiori uncomfortable from the start.
After things settled down, Makhmudov found a home for the right uppercuts that dropped his opponent twice in the first round. Saved by the bell, Akpejiori wouldn’t make it out of the second round after getting hit by more uppercuts before tasting the canvas.
Akpejiori got up but was on wobbly legs, and after close examination, the referee waved off the contest. The number-five ranked WBC and WBA heavyweight continues to march towards a title shot.
