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Jared Anderson vs. Andriy Rudenko
Final Press Conference
Roughly 1,000 pounds of heavyweight muscle will roll into
the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on Saturday evening for
an action-packed doubleheader.
In the 10-round main event, Toledo native Jared "The Real
Big Baby" Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) looks to notch his second
victory in as many months against Andriy Rudenko (35-6, 21
KOs). Anderson thrilled his hometown crowd on July 1 with a
10-round decision over former world champion Charles Martin.
The 10-round co-feature will see Nigerian knockout artist
Efe Ajagba (17-1, 13 KOs) seek to end the unbeaten run of
southpaw puncher Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-0, 18 KOs).
Anderson-Rudenko, and Ajagba-Kossobutskiy will be broadcast
live 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)
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.
At Thursday's press conference, this is what the fighters
had to say.
Jared Anderson
“It was easy to get back into things after my last fight. We
never stop, really. 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.”
“My coaches have been training me like a little guy since I
was eight years old. So, it kind of comes naturally to just
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 in order to win. And I will continue being who I
am because I am great.”
Andriy Rudenko
“Today is Ukrainian Independence Day, and we are here thanks
to our Ukrainian army, thanks to our Ukrainian soldiers who
defend 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 having a fight at 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 what my plans are for
stopping him this Saturday in the ring."
Efe Ajagba
“I know this is a big fight. I made sure to prepare hard and
get everything done in training camp. 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 a lot better for my career to have
fought 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 still being
able to come back. 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. 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.”
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