SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Jared Anderson is at the point in his career where he can’t afford to miss a trick.
The unbeaten and top-five heavyweight (according to the WBC, WBO and WBA) made it clear he’s paying attention Tuesday, stopping on stage to confront Saturday fight promoter Eddie Hearn over a social media video in which Hearn told Saudi Arabia’s power broker Turki Alalshikh that Anderson’s bout against Martin Bakole is a “50-50 fight” that Anderson may lose.
“Don’t bet against me. Let’s make a wager,” Anderson told Hearn.
Hearn answered, “As I’ve said in the media, you win this fight, you’re the real deal.”
“All right, you’re going to find out,” Anderson replied.
Being young and American (from Toledo, Ohio), the 24-year-old Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) offers tough-to-resist potential that Alalshokh clearly noticed by designating him an ambassador along with main-event fighter Terence Crawford and others for Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, which is sponsoring Saturday’s stacked card at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Anderson, who has sparred many times with former heavyweight champion and Top Rank stablemate Tyson Fury, trained with Fury’s cornerman SugarHill Steward in Florida for The Congo’s Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs), who is slightly favored to win the bout.
“(Steward) explains everything thoroughly, breaks down why he wants you to do it… my preparation was amazing,” Anderson said. “We’re not playing no games. No slouches. Everybody’s being well-compensated. I love it. This is bringing the game back.”
Anderson has experienced two brushes with law enforcement over the past year, a November arrest in Ohio for improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle (he pleaded no contest a month later) and then leading Michigan police on a high-speed chase for six miles with speeds reaching 130 mph in March.
Anderson returned to the ring April 13, handily defeating a non-responsive Ryad Merhy in Texas.
He declared his readiness for Bakole, telling reporters he informed Hearn, “Put some fucking money on it! I promise he’ll lose his money every time.”
Hearn remains somewhat skeptical.
“I don’t know enough to tell whether Jared Anderson deserves to be the favorite or not, but I do know Martin Bakole is not (Joshua) and he’s not Usyk, but he’s a world-class fighter and he beats a lot of guys in the top 15,” Hearn said. “And I don’t think Jared has ever boxed at that level before. I’m telling you: I think that’s a war.”
Anderson conceded he respects Bakole.
“It’s a fight, man. You’ve got to show up like everyone else.”
Anderson was vague about who he wants to fight in victory, as he observes a heavyweight landscape that includes Daniel Dubois’ IBF title defense against Anthony Joshua in London, England Sept. 21 and a three-belt rematch between Fury and champion Oleksandr Usyk Dec. 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
So he faced off with Bakole and moves to Saturday, knowing an impressive showing will boost his stock with Alalshikh.
“It’s just (Alalshikh) liking me as a person, knowing who I am… I’m happy to do (the ambassador role),” Anderson said.
“I’m not here to play. I know what’s going on. (Bakole) knows what’s going on. I don’t need to do any talking. You’ve got to see me in the ring, Aug. 3, you’ve got to get in there with me.”
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