Highly rated American heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson is in an intriguing fight with Congolese contender Martin Bakole this weekend.
In the early part of his career, Anderson was knocking everyone out and seemed destined for the top. Then he came up against former IBF world title holder Charles Martin and was taken the distance for the first time and after dispatching Andrii Rudenko last year, he again went 12 rounds and took a points win over Ryad Merhy back in April.
Speaking on THE FIGHT, legendary coach turned pundit Teddy Atlas pointed out Anderson hasn’t really been tested yet.
“Jared Anderson is 17-0, he’s talented, everyone has been raving about him, Top Rank have done a good job of building him up, putting him in with opponents he can beat.
He hasn’t been put in there with anyone really risky and competitive yet, and I’m not saying he should be put in with a guy he might lose to but instead of putting him in with 90-10, 80-20, 70-30 with him winning you got to put him in a 60-40, 65-45, and for some reason they haven’t done that.”
And Atlas doesn’t believe Bakole will be the test that Anderson needs.
“I don’t know what Jared Anderson is besides being a young, big heavyweight who has ability. There are others out there with the same ability.
He hasn’t been put in with anyone to show what’s under the hood yet, and I don’t think this is going to show it. People think Bakole is a test. He’s 20-1, 32 years old, he’s been knocked out once, stopped, so I don’t think so.”
That loss came against Michael Hunter, an American, which seems to be enough for those Stateside to write off the challenge of Bakole.
