Weekend Review: Jared Anderson learns, Canelo Alvarez surprises

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Jared Anderson

All top fighters have to walk through fire at some point to become true stars. Anderson, the 23-year-old heavyweight contender, suffered a minor burn in his unanimous decision victory over veteran Charles Martin in a 10-round bout Saturday in Toledo, Ohio, Anderson’s hometown. Martin (29-4-1, 26 KOs) became the first to take Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) the distance, a fate that was inevitable as his opposition became stronger. And he had to overcome harrowing adversity in Round 5, when he was hurt by a straight left from his southpaw opponent midway through the round and took many more hard blows before the bell ended the threat. He got through it, demonstrating resilience that should serve him well going forward. Anderson didn’t look spectacular, as he had in previous fights against lower-level foes. That doesn’t mean he suddenly lacks the potential we thought he had. On the contrary, he survived a genuine challenge from a capable opponent – and late replacement – to win a one-sided decision and gained valuable experience in the process. I think more of Anderson than I did before he entered the ring on Saturday.

BIGGEST WINNER II
Savannah Marshall

"Sweet dreams!"

Savannah Marshall reacts to becoming undisputed champion pic.twitter.com/QaMv1CFWGI

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) July 1, 2023

Marshall isn’t as good as Claressa Shields – as we saw in October – but she reminded us how capable she is on Saturday in Manchester, England, where she survived the bruising tactics of Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win a majority decision and the undisputed 168-pound championship in an ugly fight. Crews-Dezurn isn’t much of a boxer but her incessant pressure, her ability to bull her way into close quarters poses a daunting physical challenge for any opponent. Marshall not only had the toughness to cope with Crews-Dezurn’s style but also created enough room to land stinging, eye-catching shots with more than enough consistency to earn 99-92 and 97-93 advantages on two of the three official cards. (Judge Paul Wallace’s 95-95 card is inexplicable). It was arguably the best night of the Englishwoman’s career. She now wants a rematch at 168 pounds with Shields, who defeated her by a convincing decision at 160 eight months ago. Marshall probably wouldn’t win that fight but one never knows. She sure looked formidable on Saturday.

BIGGEST SURPRISE
Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo

UNDISPUTED vs UNDISPUTED

Sept. 30
Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/pAlSN5VszU

— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) June 30, 2023

I made the assumption that when Alvarez signed a three-fight deal with Premier Boxing Champions that he would finally fight the best possible opponents his size. Well, he threw us a curve. The undisputed 168-pound champion announced on social media that he will fight his 154-pound counterpart Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas. Alvarez was expected to face the other Charlo, Jermall, a 160-pound titleholder. However, having him face the Mexican star after a two-plus-year layoff evidently was too much to ask. So Alvarez turned to Jermell Charlo. The junior middleweight champ is one of the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound, better than his brother. He has the ability to compete with Alvarez, particularly if the future Hall of Famer is in decline as many believe. The potential problem is that Charlo will have to move up two weight classes or 14 pounds, which could be a disadvantage that is impossible to overcome. I think there’s a good chance even this version of Alvarez will pummel Charlo, after which we’ll all wonder whether the fight should’ve been made in the first place. I’m disappointed.

RABBIT PUNCHES

Anderson showed a great deal of maturity during his post-fight interview Saturday, declining to call out the top heavyweights. Instead, he made it clear that his principal goal right now is to remain active. He said he wants to fight two more times this year. I hope he reaches 20 bouts before he tangles with the likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. … News item: Sky Sports has reported that Dillian Whyte has signed an agreement to face Joshua a second time on Aug. 12 in London. I guess that matchup would do good business in the U.K. but how many times are they going to trot out the powerful, but limited Whyte for a big fight? It’s getting boring. Of course, if Joshua meets Deontay Wilder late this year I’ll forget all about this unappetizing matchup. … Nineteen-year-old 135-pound prospect Abdullah Mason (9-0, 8 KOs) of Cleveland knocked out overmatched Alex de Oliveira (20-5, 14 KOs) in the second round of a scheduled six-rounder on the Anderson-Martin card. Mason, who put de Oliveira down three times, appears to have all the ingredients to become a major player in the sport. He’s naturally gifted, he can box, he has power and he carries himself with the maturity of an older fighter. He’s definitely one to watch.