I'd take a small step back for his next fight, Stephan Shaw is the guy I'd go after. Balogun and Cusumano would be acceptable as well. I'd be trying to work out an agreement for Jermaine Franklin towards the end of the year, perfect opponent a couple fights away imo. Not super dangerous, but durable, solid boxer plus you get the Michigan/Ohio rivalry, would sell well in Ohio
kid is gonna get hit, he needs time to learn to tighten up his defence before taking on the heavy hitters. Pillow fisted Parker would be a good opponent.
Anderson is pretty young so their shouldnt be a hurry to put him in there with top 10 yet. He still has alot to learn. Keep putting him in their with guys like Martin for a couple more years.
I think it’s fair to say Martin gave him more problems than we expected.
I’d put him in with a durable veteran like Takam next.
Someone old who can't fight anymore, but is known. The 44 year old Luis Ortiz would be a safe pick. And he fought with Wilder and Martin, two USA heavyweights so it gives a somewhat comparable backdrop.
The could make it the North American title belt if there is such a thing, otherwise create it!
I'd like to see Kossobutskiy rescheduled..
Whether they will now is another matter, he looks like he can crack and Anderson gets hit a lot right now. They might look back and be thankful if wasn't him in the ring last night rather than Martin who seems OK with losing.
Takam is ok too, but as you say, doesnt offer a huge threat, he is just durable and will make you work. Fine opponent but I don't see it as a great learning fight for what Anderson needs to work on.
Franklin maybe, but id imagine he wants too much money and coming off 2 pretty big name opponents, even if they were losses. Couldn't see him playing the B side to Anderson right now in his own mind. On paper it's a good opponent, he has skill, durable, he lands shots because he has decent skills but not really a puncher. Good opponent if you wanna work on defending against sneaky single shots.
Pulev is a no for me, hes shot to bits and probably not that durable these days.
I think Ortiz would be ok, I think he's shot to shit in general but he's wiley and will give you something to think about for a bit. He's basically done and has nowhere to go right now but i think he would talk that fight at this stage.
Takam or Pulev would make sense. Would like to see Ajagba but I think he'll be facing Makhmudov.
Rescheduling Kossobutskiy would make sense from a WBC rankings perspective. Anderson's got a decent rank with the WBO but likely won't be facing anyone ranked above him. Perhaps Kabayel who's at 11 if he doesn't get the AJ fight?
I think they're building up to a Mahkmudov fight but he might actually KO him now. The Kossobutskiy is more intriguing now since he appears to be a puncher. I would think Luis Ortiz is the next logical opponent.
I’d still favour Anderson but it’s now a fight I could see going either way.
I think they're building up to a Mahkmudov fight but he might actually KO him now. The Kossobutskiy is more intriguing now since he appears to be a puncher. I would think Luis Ortiz is the next logical opponent.