Ohio native Jared "The Real Big Baby" Anderson is eager to get back in action to fight against the formidable Ukrainian boxer Andriy Rudenko. This highly anticipated 10-round main event is scheduled to take place on August 26 at the esteemed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jared Anderson returns to the ring less than two months after defeating former world champion Charles Martin in front of his hometown fans in Toledo. At just 23 years old, Anderson has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with, and this will mark his third appearance in 2023.
At 39, Rudenko is a seasoned boxer, albeit past his prime, and has suffered losses against fighters like Hughie Fury, Zhilei Zhang, Alexander Povetkin, Agit Kabayel, and Vladyslav Sirenko. Despite being a low-risk match for Anderson, Rudenko’s experience could test the young talent's resilience, especially given his past struggles against Jerry Forrest and Charles Martin.
The 23-year-old Anderson is eager to make his mark in the heavyweight division before he plans to retire at 27. Despite showing signs of vulnerability in his fights, including his bouts against George Arias and Charles Martin, Anderson remains undeterred, and he is intent on squeezing in three fights this year.
Top 10 knockouts from The Real Big Baby: Watch
In the co-main event of the evening, Efe Ajagba (17-1, 13 KOs) will step into the ring to face the undefeated southpaw Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-0, 18 KOs) in the 10 rounds heavyweight clash. Originally set to take on Jared Anderson on July 1, Kossobutskiy encountered visa issues, but now he's back with a vengeance, ready to prove himself against a formidable opponent in Ajagba.
Additionally, the excitement continues with Olympic gold medalist Bakhodir Jalolov (12-0, 12 KOs) making his highly anticipated Top Rank debut. The talented Jalolov will lace up his gloves in an eight-round televised opener against the hard-hitting Onoriode Ehwarieme (20-2, 19 KOs). With both fighters known for their knockout power, this clash promises an action-packed spectacle that fans won't want to miss.
In the undercard, undefeated Nico Ali Walsh (8-0-1, 5 KOs), grandson of Muhammad Ali, will meet Sona Akale (7-1, 4 KOs) in a 6 rounds middleweight showdown, as well as featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (8-0, 5 KOs) is set to display his prowess in a bout against a yet-to-be-named opponent.
Watch the official weigh-in live on YouTube: Watch
Main card:(begins at 10:30 pm ET)
▪️Jared Anderson vs. Andriy Rudenko, 10 rounds, heavyweight ▪️Efe Ajagba vs. Zhan Kossobutskiy, 10 rounds, heavyweight
Undercard: (begins at 6:50 pm ET)
▪️Bruce Carrington vs. Angel Antonio Contreras, 8 rounds, featherweight ▪️Jeremiah Milton vs. Craig Lewis, 8 rounds, heavyweight ▪️Nico Ali Walsh vs. Sona Akale, 6 rounds, middleweight ▪️Abdullah Mason vs. Cesar Villarraga, 6 rounds, lightweight ▪️Ablaikhan Zhussupov vs. Wiston Campos, 8 rounds, welterweight ▪️Charly Suarez vs. Yohan Vasquez, 10 rounds, junior lightweight
Prelims:(begins at 6:15 pm ET)
▪️Bakhodir Jalolov vs. Onoriode Ehwarieme, 8 rounds, heavyweight
Watch the Top Rank Debut of Bakhodir Jalolov live and free on YouTube: Watch
