American heavyweight boxing is in disarray after Martin Bakole’s knockout victory over Anderson shocked the division at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
The American heavyweight boxing landscape is in complete and utter disarray, and it’s all because of one man — Martin Bakole.
At BMO Stadium in South Central Los Angeles on Saturday, the Congo boxer from Scotland thoroughly defeated Jared Anderson via fifth-round knockout.
It was the type of battle that might headline a live show on ESPN+, but it was only the fourth fight of the night, with three more to go on the first-ever Riyadh Season show in the United States.
Bakole may have gained unrivalled confidence after knocking Anderson down with an uppercut in the opening round.
Anderson has been considered the next boxer to represent the United States at the heavyweight division, following Deontay Wilder.
Anderson was defeated by Bakole in the opening round, and the American was nearly sent through the ropes in the fifth round, when Bakole secured the victory.
Bakole landed 86 shots out of 284 attempts, somewhat more than Anderson’s 79 from 209.
By defeating Anderson, Bakole secured the biggest win of his pro career and advanced his record to 21 wins (16 KOs) against one defeat.
“I planned it, I said it, and I did it,” said Bakole. “I told you from the beginning, I came here to work.”
He added: “We came over from Scotland to takeover America. I want to be No.1. But no one wants to fight me.”
Bakole demonstrated that the expertise gained from training and competing against fighters based in Europe differs from that of American heavyweights who work in the US.
