Top Rank brings a huge heavyweight event to the masses this Saturday night featuring two of the next generation of title contenders.
Roughly 1,000 pounds of muscle will roll into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa for an action-packed doubleheader, including Jared Anderson and Zhan Kossobutskiy.
In the ten-round main event, Toledo native “The Real Big Baby” Anderson aims to better his 15-0, 14 KOs record. Anderson looks to notch his second victory in as many months against Andriy Rudenko.
Last time out, Anderson scored a decision over former world champion Charles Martin.
Heavyweight co-feature
The co-feature will see Nigerian Efe Ajagba seek to end the unbeaten run of southpaw puncher Zhan Kossobutskiy. The latter is a heavyweight version of Gennadiy Golovkin with the Kazakh boxing fans.
Four prominent participants joined Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, and Jeremiah Milton, at the final media gathering.
“It was easy to get back into things after my last fight. We never stop, really,” said Anderson. “We might have taken a week off. But then we went right back to it.
“We took our time by sharpening our skills before sparring. But everything was great. We’re ready to go to work.”
On his preparation, Anderson added: “My coaches have been training me like a little guy since I was eight years old.
“So, it comes naturally just to move like I’m at a lighter weight. That’s what I do every time I step in there.
“This Saturday, you will see me sticking to my plan. I’ll be using my jab, my speed. I’m always willing to do whatever I need to do to win.
“I will continue being who I am because I am great.”
Rudenko
Rudenko stated: “Today is Ukrainian Independence Day, and we are here thanks to our Ukrainian army and soldiers defending our country.
“It fills us with glory to represent the bravest country in the world.
“I’m very happy to be in the United States. It’s been my dream to have a professional fight in the U.S.
“When I started my career, I dreamed of fighting the mecca of professional boxing, so I am very happy.
“I know that my opponent is one of the best heavyweight prospects right now. I will show you my plans for stopping him this Saturday in the ring.”
Ajagba vs Kossobutskiy
Efe Ajagba
“I know this is a big fight. I made sure to prepare hard and get everything done in training camp. But I know he is a good fighter, but I will do everything possible to win the fight.”
“I want to thank him for accepting the fight. I’ve been training hard for this fight because I know who he is. I will get things done on Saturday night.”
Zhan Kossobutskiy
“I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. This is a great opportunity for me to debut on ESPN.”
“I’m very happy to have this fight. I have faced very strong opposition. It’s been much better for my career to fight strong opposition. I believe the same is the case with my opponent for this Saturday.”
Nico Ali Walsh
“We were working on a lot of different things in this camp. Head movement was a big part of it. Defense was a big part of it. I’m no stranger to taking a punch.
“Everyone knows I can take a punch. But that’s not what is important to me. What is important is not taking the punch and being able to return.
“This camp has been completely different, and I can’t wait to show that improvement.”
Jeremiah Milton
“I’ve been staying busy and learning from each fight. But I’ve been progressing and climbing up the rankings. I’ve been making an impact on the heavyweight division. It’s been amazing.”
“This is my city. We got all these heavyweights out here. So, it’s going to be nothing but knockouts. Tulsa loves knockouts. They love big performances. And that’s what they are in for.”
ESPN
The ESPN+-streamed undercard (6:50 p.m. ET/3:50 p.m. PT) features 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 on Craig Lewis (15-6-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder, and middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (8-0, 5 KOs) against Sona Akale (7-1, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.
Anderson vs Rudenko and Ajagba vs Kossobutskiy will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
