Boxing
Martin Bakole stuns Jared Anderson with fifth-round knockout
Los Angeles, USA: Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole, NABF WBO International Heavyweight Title August 3, 2024 Photo by Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
LOS ANGELES — Martin Bakole likes to say, “I am the most avoided man in the world.”
After defeating Jared Anderson, Terence Crawford and Israel Madrimov in the WBA junior middleweight title fight on Saturday, no one can have any doubts about him.
Bakole (21-1, 16 knockouts) pulled off a stunning feat at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, stopping Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs) at 2:07 of the fifth round, sending him to the floor three times – once in the first and twice in the fifth.
“I am the most avoided man in the world,” Bakole later declared. “I am the most avoided man in the world. I planned it, I said it, I did it. This is what I do for my child, this is what I do for my country, Congo, and Scotland. I told you from the beginning, I am a machine. Nobody wants to fight me.”
There was a noticeable size difference at first. Bakole was wider and taller than Anderson. In the first round, Anderson, who came in at a career-high 252.4 pounds and was under the care of fresh trainer SugarHill Steward, scratched and prodded the very immobile Bakole. Coming in a left-handed stance, Anderson landed punches to Bakole’s rather round body.
Then, with 9 seconds remaining in the first round, Bakole, who entered the ring at a career-high 284.4 pounds, landed a right hook to the head, followed by a right to the jaw, then a left hook and another right that sent Anderson into the ropes.
This is Anderson’s first defeat in his career.
Los Angeles, USA: Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole, NABF WBO International heavyweight title
August 3, 2024
Photo by Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Anderson came out cautiously in the second round. Bakole kept landing rights, then left hooks. Anderson was retreating to the ropes and had little cover there.
“We planned for it (the uppercut),” Bakole said. “I’m a little taller than him and I knew it (the uppercut) would work.”
Anderson tried to fight Bakole with fire against fire. Anderson caught Bakole in the face with left punches, although he appeared to go through them.
The third round began like the second, with Anderson rising from a right hook from Bakole. With a minute left in the third, Bakole landed powerful headbutts on Anderson. Anderson fought back in the final seconds of the round, responding with straight rights from a left-handed position.
Anderson came out in a conventional stance in the fourth round. He watched his distance. He came in and out, peppering Bakole with blows to the head. Although every time Bakole landed, Anderson was shaken. Anderson tried to box Bakole. He couldn’t escape Bakole, who leaned against the smaller Anderson against the ropes.
The theme in the fifth round was plain: Anderson tried to box out the leisurely Bakole, and Bakole tried to catch Anderson every time he came close. Then, with 1:41 left in the fifth round, Bakole stunned Anderson with a left hook to the jaw, sending Anderson to the canvas a second time. Anderson crumpled in the ropes and tried to get back to his feet, but he was already on his feet.
Referee Jerry Cantu let Anderson continue, even though it was clear Anderson was out. Smelling blood, Bakole closed in on Anderson, and Bakole knocked Anderson down a third time with a straight right with 1:18 left in the fifth round.
For the second time, Cantu allowed Anderson to get back on his feet. This time, however, Anderson had nothing left. Bakole finished the fight, raining down a barrage of punches on Anderson before Cantu stepped in and finished it at 2:07 of the fifth round.
“I made some of the same mistakes I made,” Anderson said. “I didn’t come here to lose. I lost. I have to stop backing down. I made the same mistakes. The worst thing I did was not listen to my corner. He was powerful as hell. I can’t get mad. I’m going home to my daughter.”
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