Anderson dominates, stops Rudenko in Tulsa

TULSA, OKLAHOMA - AUGUST 26: Jared Anderson celebrates after defeating Andriy Rudenk of the Ukraine during their heavyweight fight at Hard Rock Live on August 26, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

The last time we saw Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson was in early July when he defeated former world champion Charles Martin by unanimous decision in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio. 

While he got the victory, he was buzzed by Martin, and some criticized the performance. 

The 23-year-old returned over a month later on Saturday and looked impressive.

Anderson (16-0, 15 KOs) easily defeated Ukrainian contender Andriy Rudenko (35-7, 21 KOs) via fifth-round TKO at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa(Tulsa, Oklahoma). 

TULSA, OKLAHOMA – AUGUST 26: Andriy Rudenko (L) of Ukraine and Jared Anderson (R) exchange punches during their heavyweight fight at Hard Rock Live on August 26, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

The Toledo, Ohio native did a great job with beautiful combinations, especially to the body. In the third, he teed off with a relentless attack to the body, but Rudenko survived, partly aided by his continual headlocks. In the fifth round, Rudenko was finally deducted a point, but another flurry from Anderson forced referee Gary Ritter to end the fight at 1:40.

“I’m enjoying the ride, enjoying the fights, and just doing my job,” Anderson said. “I was sending a statement to myself. I’m fighting for myself, and I’m fighting for my family. As much as people want to hate on me for it, I’m a realist. I’m going to stay real and be real. And I’m going to say what’s on my mind. Ya’ll can take it how ya’ll want. This is a business. This is a sport. I’m just doing my job. Take it how you want. You can’t force me to be somebody ya’ll want me to be. I’m going to be myself. And I’m going to be that till the end.”

Rudenko was made to order for Anderson, but give the young man credit, only a few have stopped the 39-year-old. This was a confidence-building fight for Anderson and is something he can build on.

Ajagba Wins via DQ against Kossobutskiy

Nigerian contender Efe Ajagba (18-1, 13 KOs) was planning on using his reach and height advantages to take Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-1, 18 KOs) to deep waters in tonight’s co-feature. But several low blows from the Kazakh-born southpaw forced referee Chris Flores to disqualify him in the fourth round.

TULSA, OKLAHOMA – AUGUST 26: Zhan Kossobutskiy (L) of Kazakhstan hits Efe Ajagba (R) of Nigeria below the belt line during their heavyweight fight at Hard Rock Live on August 26, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

Ajagba, who was coming off two victories after suffering his first loss in 2021, worked off a piston-like jab as Kossobutskiy tried to cut the distance by leaning forward with a high guard throwing occasional arm punches.

In the second round, Ajagba himself landed a low blow before hurting Kossobutskiy with a shot to the chin. However, Kossobutskiy returned the favor with several low blows in the third round and was deducted two points.

Another low blow in the fourth round forced the referee to end matters for good.

Ali suffers first loss

TULSA, OKLAHOMA – AUGUST 26: Nico Ali Walsh (L) and Sona Akale (R) exchange punches during their middleweight fight at Hard Rock Live on August 26, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

Middleweight: Sona Akale (8-1, 4 KOs) scored an upset majority decision win after six highly competitive rounds against Nico Ali Walsh (8-1, 5 KOs). Ali Walsh, who is the grandson of the Muhammad Ali, landed uppercuts and hooks that wobbled Akale, but the Cameroon-born Akale edged rounds based on pressure to secure the victory. Scores: 57-57 and 58-56 2x.

“Shu Shu” continues his winning ways

TULSA, OKLAHOMA – AUGUST 26: Angel Antonio Contreras (L) of Mexico and Bruce Carrington (R) exchange punches during their featherweight fight at Hard Rock Live on August 26, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

Featherweight: Undefeated Brooklyn native Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (9-0, 5 KOs) authored a one-sided points victory against Mexico’s Angel Antonio Contreras (13–7-2, 7 KOs) after eight rounds of action. Carrington controlled outside and at close range, using his high guard to catch and shoot on the inside and working off a stiff jab to the body. Scores: 80-72 and 79-73 2x.

Milton wins in hometown

TULSA, OKLAHOMA – AUGUST 26: Jeremiah Milton (L) knocks-out Craig Lewis (R) during their heavyweight fight at Hard Rock Live on August 26, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

Heavyweight: Tulsa-born standout Jeremiah Milton (11-0, 7 KOs) dominated Craig Lewis (15-7-2, 8 KOs) en route to an eight-round unanimous decision win. Milton nearly stopped Lewis in the opening round, and he used his high guard to set up combinations that sent Lewis reeling from pillar to post. Lewis, however, stayed upright to the final bell. Scores: 80-72 and 79-72 2x.

Other action:

Lightweight: 19-year-old southpaw prodigy Abdullah Mason (10-0, 9 KOs) overcame his toughest challenge to date with a six-round unanimous decision win over rugged Colombian Cesar Villarraga (10-8-1, 5 KOs). Scores: 60-54 3x. 

Welterweight: Kazakh Olympian Ablaikhan Zhussupov (4-0, 3 KOs) defeated Nicaraguan-born veteran Wiston Campos (33-12-6, 19 KOs) via fifth-round TKO. Zhussupov dropped Campos in the fourth round. Campos’ corner threw in the towel in the following round. Time of stoppage: 2:52.

Junior Lightweight: Filipino contender Charly Suarez (16-0, 9 KOs) earned a 10-round unanimous decision victory against Yohan Vasquez (25-4, 20 KOs). Scores: 98-92 2x and 97-93.

Heavyweight: Uzbek Olympic gold medalist Bakhodir Jalolov (13-0, 13 KOs) made a successful Top Rank debut by stopping Onoriode Ehwarieme (20-3, 19 KOs) in the first round. Time of stoppage: 2:06.

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