By: Sean Crose
The Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio hosted an ESPN/Top Rank card on Saturday evening that includes former world titlist Charles Martin and native up and comer Jared Anderson in a scheduled 10 spherical heavyweight throwdown. It promised to be an excellent check for the rising Anderson and a do-or-die profession second for ex-champion Martin. First up, nonetheless, the undefeated 15-0 heavyweight Raphael Akenjiore battled the 16-0 Arslanbek Makhmudov in a scheduled 10 rounder.
Makhmudov was throughout his opponent from the get to, dropping Akenjiore twice within the first. To his credit score, Akenjiore was in a position to survive the opening chapter. Still, an explosive uppercut rattled Akenjiore within the second. A couple of moments later, the person was down once more. Akenjiore bought again to his ft as soon as extra, however in what was principally a humanitarian motion, the referee stopped the combat.
Next up, the 8-0 light-weight Abdullah Mason threw down with the 20-4 Alex de Oliveira in a scheduled 6 rounder. Mason set to work immediately within the opening spherical, firing crisp pictures from behind a southpaw jab. De Oliveira was aggressive within the second, however Mason was in a position to damage, then drop his man within the closing moments of the spherical. The referee correctly and instantly stopped the combat. Needless to say, it was time for the principle occasion.
The 14-0 Anderson was significantly smaller than the 29-3-1 Martin, who spent the primary making an attempt to take care of vary. Anderson spent the second in George Patton mode, relentlessly shifting ahead. By the ultimate minute of the spherical, Martin had been tagged arduous a number of occasions. Things had been somewhat sluggish within the third. It was clear Martin hoped to frustrate, then ultimately get the higher of his man. Still, within the closing seconds of the spherical, Martin was despatched to the mat. He shortly bought up, however Anderson’s level had been made.
Martin continued to have the ability to land on Marin within the fourth. He additionally confirmed some sound defensive expertise in avoiding Martin’s notable energy. Strong as these expertise had been beforehand, they didn’t hold Anderson from getting rocked within the fifth. Martin proceeded to unload on his man. Anderson bought via the spherical, however issues had undoubtedly taken a flip for the sudden. To his credit score, Anderson had a greater sixth, due to his jab. Still, Martin was nonetheless in a position to land properly on a number of events.
Both males had their moments within the seventh, however Anderson did a greater job within the chapter. This was one of many these fights the place a knockout may happen at any minute, or each males may run out of fuel within the later rounds. The eighth was just like earlier rounds in that Anderson would fireplace extra successfully, however Martin was nonetheless in a position to tag his opponent now and again. Anderson put his punches collectively properly within the ninth. Martin, nonetheless, caught Anderson arduous and clear within the closing second of the spherical
Yet by the tenth, it was apparent that Martin was all out of concepts. He had definitely had his moments, however the combat finally belonged to hometown hero Anderson, who ended up profitable by the decide’s scores of 98-91, 99-90, and 99-90.
