TULSA, OK — Roughly 1,000 kilos of heavyweight muscle will roll into the Laborious Rock Resort & On line casino Tulsa on Saturday night for an action-packed doubleheader.
Within the 10-round major occasion, Toledo native Jared “The Actual Massive Child” Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) appears to notch his second victory in as many months towards Andriy Rudenko (35-6, 21 KOs). Anderson thrilled his hometown crowd on July 1 with a 10-round determination over former world champion Charles Martin.
The ten-round co-feature will see Nigerian knockout artist Efe Ajagba (17-1, 13 KOs) search to finish the unbeaten run of southpaw puncher Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-0, 18 KOs).
Anderson-Rudenko, and Ajagba-Kossobutskiy will likely be broadcast reside on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
The ESPN+-streamed undercard (6:50 p.m. ET/3:50 p.m. PT) options Brooklyn-born featherweight phenom Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (8-0, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder, Tulsa-born heavyweight Jeremiah Milton (10-0, 7 KOs) taking up Craig Lewis (15-6-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder, and middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (8-0, 5 KOs) towards Sona Akale (7-1, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder.
Promoted by Prime Rank, in affiliation with Holden Productions, tickets beginning at $49.50 are on sale now at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.
At Thursday’s press convention, that is what the fighters needed to say.
Jared Anderson
“It was simple to get again into issues after my final struggle. We by no means cease, actually. We’d have taken every week off, however then we went proper again to it. We took our time by sharpening our expertise earlier than sparring. However all the pieces was nice. We’re able to go to work.”
“My coaches have been coaching me like somewhat man since I used to be eight years previous. So, it form of comes naturally to simply transfer like I’m at a lighter weight. That’s what I do each time I step in there.”
“This Saturday you will see me sticking to my plan. I’ll be utilizing my jab, my pace. I’m all the time prepared to do no matter I must do with a view to win. And I’ll proceed being who I’m as a result of I’m nice.”
Andriy Rudenko
“In the present day is Ukrainian Independence Day, and we’re right here because of our Ukrainian military, because of our Ukrainian troopers who defend our nation. It fills us with glory to symbolize the bravest nation in the world.”
“I’m very joyful to be in america. It’s been my dream to have an expert struggle within the U.S. After I began my profession, I dreamed of getting a struggle on the mecca {of professional} boxing, so I’m very joyful.”
“I do know that my opponent is among the greatest heavyweight prospects proper now. I’ll present you what my plans are for stopping him this Saturday within the ring.”
Efe Ajagba
“I do know it is a huge struggle. I made certain to organize arduous and get all the pieces accomplished in coaching camp. I do know he is an efficient fighter, however I’ll do all the pieces attainable to win the struggle.”
“I wish to thank him for accepting the struggle. I’ve been coaching arduous for this struggle as a result of I do know who he’s. I’ll get issues accomplished on Saturday night time.”
Zhan Kossobutskiy
“I’ve been ready for this chance for a very long time. This can be a nice alternative for me to debut on ESPN.”
“I’m very joyful to have this struggle. I’ve confronted very robust opposition. It’s been loads higher for my profession to have fought robust opposition. I imagine the identical is the case with my opponent for this Saturday.”
Nico Ali Walsh
“We have been engaged on loads of various things on this camp. Head motion was a giant a part of it. Protection was a giant a part of it. I’m no stranger to taking a punch. Everybody is aware of I can take a punch. However that’s not what’s essential to me. What’s essential is not taking the punch and nonetheless having the ability to come again. This camp has been utterly completely different, and I can’t wait to indicate that enchancment.”
Jeremiah Milton
“I’ve been staying busy and studying from every struggle. I’ve been progressing and climbing up the rankings. I’ve been making an impression on the heavyweight division. It’s been superb.”
“That is my metropolis. We received all these heavyweights out right here. So, it’s going to be nothing however knockouts. Tulsa loves knockouts. They love huge performances. And that’s what they’re in for.”
Saturday, August 26
ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT)
Jared Anderson vs. Andriy Rudenko, 10 rounds, Heavyweight
Efe Ajagba vs. Zhan Kossobutskiy, 10 rounds, Heavyweight
ESPN+ (6:50 p.m. ET/3:50 p.m. PT)
Bruce Carrington vs. Angel Antonio Contreras, 8 rounds, Featherweights
Jeremiah Milton vs. Craig Lewis, 8 rounds, Heavyweights
Nico Ali Walsh vs. Sona Akale, 6 rounds, Middleweights
Abdullah Mason vs. Cesar Villarraga, 6 rounds, Lightweights
Ablaikhan Zhussupov vs. Wiston Campos, 8/6 rounds, Welterweights
Charly Suarez vs. Yohan Vasquez, 10 rounds, Junior Light-weight
Prime Rank YouTube (6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT)
Bakhodir Jalolov vs. Onoriode Ehwarieme, 8 rounds, Heavyweight
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Govt Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and likewise a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.