I was just now about to ask about Michael Hunter.Jared Anderson Vs Martin Bakole ?
Only casuals thought this was an upset
Like so many quick handed boxers, all fighters like Jared can do is lead. They don't know how to counter and so they look great when they are on top and don't have much coming back at them but when face up to opponents who are not just there to be hit, but actually hit back, they get pushed back and exposed as being unable to box on the back foot because they can't counter and can only lead.
Easy to say now, but I always got David Price vibes from Jared.
Anderson has been exposed only in the sense that he's fought his first legit gatekeeper and been found wanting. Can he improve and fix his problems? He's young and it's possible - but it's a big ask. Plus he doesn't love boxing. He has admitted it. Maybe he can go a bit further, maybe not, but I very much doubt he'll go all the way to a belt.
But respect to Anderson as nobody wanted to know Martin, let alone fight him. Everyone knew Bakole is an animal. People behind the scenes, media, trainers, sparring partners. The only issue was that was a "great gym fighter" but couldnt do it under the lights, well bakole's big bear paws silenced that by taken it out of the judge's hands.
This fight shows what a waste of talent Hunter has become. (Hunter beat Bakole by TKO) While Bakole is better than he was, he hasn't improved so much that I'd pick him to beat the version of Hunter he faced. So I'm personally not sold on Bakole, he's good but I don't see him as a top contender. Beating hype jobs in Yoka and Anderson were impressive but he's yet to show us he can actually compete with anyone in the top 10 and his lack of fitness and tendency to gas will likely cost him at a higher level.
He'll struggle with durable movers who can fight effectively at range when they need to
But as I say the fallout of this, well for me is that, Michael Hunter might be the best American HW of the last 10 years, as sad as it sounds.
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