Heavyweight knockout artist Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson continued to stay busy with a stoppage victory.
The 23-year-old fighting pride of Toledo, Ohio, defeated Ukrainian contender Andriy Rudenko (35-7, 21 KOs) via fifth-round TKO Saturday evening at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
Anderson (16-0, 15 KOs) took control of the fight in the opening round with sharp jabs and combinations to the body. Rudenko, who was frustrated with Anderson’s offense, began to grab him by the back of his head to prevent the onslaught.
In the third, Anderson 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.
Anderson was coming off a ten round decision win over former world champion Charles Martin, which took place last month. Anderson, dropped Martin in the fight, was rocked on two occasions but overcome those moments to secure a unanimous decision.
“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.”
