Jared Anderson weighed 252.4 pounds while Martin Bakole weighed 284.4 pounds for their fight at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on August 3rd. Bakole’s weight was considered on the higher side.
The upcoming bout between the 24-year-old Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) and the experienced Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs) is perceived as a risky challenge due to Bakole’s power, toughness, and size.
There is speculation that His Excellency Turki Alalshkih’s interest in the 6’4″ Anderson might have influenced his decision to accept the match against Bakole, despite not aligning with Top Rank’s preferred fight choices.
Anderson has so far faced opponents like Ryad Merhy, Andriy Rudenko, Charles Martin, George Arias, and Jerry Forrest since turning pro in 2019. He expressed readiness for a tough challenge in an interview with DAZN Boxing.
Bakole appeared surprised that Anderson agreed to the fight, hinting that a lucrative financial offer might have persuaded Anderson to take the risk. Promoter Eddie Hearn criticized the fight matchmaking, expressing concern that Anderson might not get due credit even if he wins and could be at risk of losing.
Any difficulty Anderson faces in the bout could reflect limitations in his skills and potential in the heavyweight division. Some fans have compared his fighting style to Shakur Stevenson’s, criticizing it for lacking excitement and star quality.
