Top Rank Boxing/ESPN: Huntington Center; Toledo, Ohio
The one thing you can say about Bob Arum is he can be a very patient promoter. Almost at times to a snails pace though. Turns out that can be a good thing at times. And in the case of Jared Anderson it’s the smart play. Because after his first main event slot, in his home town no less, there are still lots of questions about how far he can go.
A dozen days earlier due to visa issues his opponent changed from Zhan Kossobutskiy to Charles Martin. Both southpaws, yes; but not all are created equal. Martin, IS a former champion, and is a blue collar type fighter. Perhaps that change had something to do with the performance of “Big Baby”. Maybe it was fighting at home, and in his first-main event no less. Or Anderson could have just had one of those off nights.
No matter what, the sands in the hour-glass are trickling down. Anderson has made it clear he is leaving the sport at age 27. So he has just four-years left on this ride. And to set himself up with generational changing money he needs those questions and others answered,… and fast.
If things were up to Arum, he’d probably have two or three more fights with journeymen type fighters. Then test himself against the bottom of the upper echelon. After the 98-91, 99-90 2x unanimous decision win the Hall Of Fame promoter confirmed his 23-year old fighter will have a fast turn around. August 26th he faces Kottobutskiy.
Still Lots Of Questions With No Answers
Although he did just enough to get the “W”; and afterall, that’s the only thing that counts in the end, he wasn’t impressive. For the first time in his career he was rcoked and wobbled. He was moving back more than he was going side-to-side. He didn’t keep his hands up all the time, and showed little head movement. Those can be corrected in the gym. But against any heavyweight that is a finisher, right now; Anderson is primed to be exposed and taken out.
On the positive side; he got in key rounds that were needed. For all the times he was tested, he never wound up looking at the lights. And those are things that can be foundational. As can his toughness, pop in his gloves, and ring IQ; he did manage to make some adjustments mid-fight. It’s just the occasional mental lapse that is worrisome. But with four-years left, how high can things be built.
Looking long term, it might be time to throw Efe Ajagba in with him. Because he may have just as many questions himself. But it’ll show who can enter the realm of the true contenders of the next generation.
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