A young phenom, Jared Anderson is close to becoming the next big thing at heavyweight. Looking for a challenge, he may have gotten his wish against Charles Martin on July 1.
Inside the Huntington Center in Toledo, Anderson returns home. The fight airs on ESPN/ ESPN+ in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the U.K.
Anderson (14-0) has won all his fights via knockout. “The Real Big Baby” has won NABF gold and is ready to face stiff competition. If all goes according to plan, Top Rank’s Bob Arum sees big things in his future. He believes he could be ready to face WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury sooner rather than later.
"I have my kid, who's not quite there yet, but by 2024, he'll be ready [to fight Fury], and that's Jared Anderson, and that will sell out the big stadium in Las Vegas,” Arum told talkSPORT. "I would put him in with anybody because there's something magic about Anderson.”
MORE: Sign up to watch Jared Anderson vs. Charles Martin, exclusively on ESPN+
To get to Fury, Anderson will need to be tested. He may get that in the form of Martin, who replaced Zhan Kossobutskiy after the latter encountered visa issues. Martin is a former world champion who lost the IBF heavyweight title against Anthony Joshua. After suffering a TKO loss to Luis Ortiz in January 2022, "King Charles" beat Devin Vargas via knockout in his most recent bout.
By beating Anderson, Martin could start his journey back to the top.
“I've always said I will fight anyone, anywhere, anytime,” said Martin. “If I have to fight on less than two weeks’ notice to get a big opportunity, so be it. I'm ready. And since I can't get the best guys from my generation to fight me, I'll fight the best guy from the new generation. My goal is to become a two-time heavyweight champion. I have to beat Jared Anderson to accomplish my goal.”
Outside of the main event, another heavyweight bout could determine their next challenge. Here is a look into the one main card bout of Anderson vs. Martin.
Jared Anderson vs. Charles Martin undercard
Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Raphael Akpejiori
- Division/Weight: Heavyweight
- Makhmudov record: 16-0
- Akpejiori record: 15-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
An important heavyweight fight will be the co-feature to Anderson-Martin, as Russian star Arslanbek Makhmudov faces Raphael Akpejiori.
Once a European student champion, Makhmudov (16-0) turned pro in 2017 and has fought primarily in Canada throughout his career. "Lion" beat Julian Fernandez in 2019 for the NABF heavyweight title, and Pavel Sour in 2021 for the NABA belt. In his last bout, Makhmudov took down Michael Wallisch via retirement, his 15th win via knockout.
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Both Makhmudov and Anderson have top-10 ratings with the WBA and could be on a collision course.
“It’s a countdown now. I don’t have the slightest idea how close it could be or is,” Anderson said about Makhmudov via Boxing News 24. “I’m ready whenever. When it happens, it happens. Hopefully, it happens soon. Soon or later, but we’re ready. I like him as a fighter, I think he’s strong, but I think I’m the better fighter. So let’s see what happens.”
Akpejiori (15-0) is a former University of Miami basketball player and got placed in the rookie training camp for the Miami Dolphins. Turning pro in 2018, the Nigerian has won all but one of his fights via knockout. The 32-year-old last fought in January, beating Dell Long via TKO.
When is Jared Anderson vs. Charles Martin?
- Date: Saturday, July 1 | Sunday, July 2
- Start time: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT | 3 a.m. BST | 12 p.m. AEST
- Main event: 11:15 p.m. ET | 8:15 p.m. PT | 4:15 a.m. BST | 1:15 p.m. AEST (approx.)
Anderson vs. Martin airs on July 1. The main card starts at 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT | 3 a.m. BST | 12 p.m. AEST. Both fighters should make their way to the ring around 11:15 p.m. ET | 8:15 p.m. PT | 4:15 a.m. BST | 1:15 p.m. AEST, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
MORE: Sign up to watch Jared Anderson vs. Charles Martin, exclusively on ESPN+
How to watch Jared Anderson vs. Charles Martin
| Region | TV channel | Live streaming |
| United States | ESPN | ESPN+ |
| Canada | TSN+ | |
| UK and Ireland | Sky Sports | - |
| Australia | - |
In the U.S., the fight will air on ESPN/ ESPN Deportes/ ESPN, and in the U.K. the event is available via Sky Sports.
Jared Anderson vs. Charles Martin price: How much does the card cost?
You can pay $9.99 for a monthly subscription to ESPN+ or buy an annual subscription for $99.99.
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| Product | Prices |
|---|---|
| ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $9.99/month |
| ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $99.99/year |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $13.99/month |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $19.99/month |