Jared Anderson vs Martin Bakole Preview August 3rd, 2024
Unbeaten heavyweight hopeful Jared ‘Big Baby’ Anderson returns to the ring this Saturday, August 3rd when he takes on Martin Bakole of the Democtratic Republic of the Congo. The 10-round clash from Los Angeles, California can be seen live on pay-per-view including ESPN and DAZN on the undercard of the Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov event. Anderson last fought in April when he beat Ryad Merhy by a wide 10-round unanimous decision in a dreadful bout to defend his WBO International and WBC USA Heavyweight Crowns. Anderson won the vacant WBO International Belt in December, 2022 by stopping Jerry Forrest in the second round and added the vacant WBC USA Title by halting George Arias in the third round in April, 2023. Bakole, who fights out of Scotland, last boxed in October when he stopped veteran Carlos Takam in the fourth round.
Anderson vs Bakole Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Martin Bakole +165
- Jared Anderson -205
My Pick
‘Big Baby’ Anderson is just 24 years old and owns a perfect record of 16-0 with 15 Ko’s. He’s boxed just 46 rounds since making his pro debut in 2019 and that’s obviously because he owns a highly-impressive knockout ratio of 88.2 per cent. He enjoyed a successful amateur career and won the 2017 and 2018 U.S. National Championships. Understandably, he’s being brought along relatively slowly in the pro ranks but 16 of his 17 opponents have entered the ring with a winning record with two of them, George Arias and Vladimir Tereshkin being undefeated at the time and Charles Martin being a former world heavyweight titleholder.
Anderson won the vacant NABF Jr. Heavyweight Title in October, 2021 when he stopped Tereshkin in the second round. He stands 6-feet-4-inches tall with a 78.5-inch reach but isn’t the quickest or most fluid heavyweight out there but does have a steady, effective jab to accompany his power and he certainly has the power and determination to make his mark in the division. He took a step up in class against Martin last year and definitely had his chin tested but passed the test. However, the fight showed that he still has some work to do as he works his way up the rankings ladder to taking on some top-ranked heavyweights.
The 32-year-old Bakole is one of the new bigger breed of heavyweights at 6-feet-6-inches tall with an unlisted reach and is two inches taller than Anderson. He owns an impressive mark of 20-1 with 15 Ko’s and also possesses better-than-average average power as 75 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage including nine of his last 11. Bakole made his pro debut in 2014 and has boxed just 80 rounds since and is the younger brother of former WBC Cruiserweight Champion Ilunga Makabu.
The lone defeat on Bakole’s record came at the hands of Michael Hunter by way of a 10th-round TKO in 2018 in a shot at the vacant IBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Crown. Bakole injured his right shoulder in that fight before it was halted. Since turning pro he’s captured the IBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title by beating Ali Baghouz by first-round KO and the vacant republic of Poland International Heavyweight title with an eighth-round stoppage of Mariusz Wach in 2019.
Bakole also beat Tony Yoka as he edged him by a 10-round majority decision in May, 2022. In addition, he has victories over veteran journeyman Kevin Johnson and beat Sergey Kuzmin via a 10-round unanimous decision for the vacant WBC International Heavyweight Belt in December, 2020. At this stage of his career, Bakole needs to step up the level of opposition and it’s fair to say that this is a great test for both boxers.
Prediction…
This should be another good test for Anderson as Bakole is a seasoned pro with plenty of power, a good chin and experience. However Bakole needs to enter the ring in better shape for this fight as he weighed in at 299.5 lbs against Carlos Takam 10 months ago after weighing as low as 229 lbs earlier in his career. He can’t just rely on his power against Anderson and needs to be prepared to use some boxing skills here. Bakole does have the power to stop Anderson but I think that’s the only way he wins this fight and it wouldn’t come as a surprise. But I’m expecting Anderson to weather the storm and add another win to his unbeaten record.
A close call but Anderson’s athleticism should be the difference.
Play: Anderson -205 @ BetOnline.ag
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Jared Anderson betting • Martin Bakole betting