Those around Jared Anderson warned him about skipping steps. Fighting journeymen and no-hopers was one thing but fighting a top-of-the-line contender was something else.

Anderson though, wouldn’t listen. He didn’t care that Martin Bakole was on a KO streak. He also paid little attention to the vast amount of experience he had under his belt.

Anderson (18-1, 15 KOs) danced during the pre-fight weigh-ins and smiled as he strolled to the ring on August 3rd, 2024. Once he was sent to the canvas in the opening round, however, he realized that Bakole wasn’t someone to play with.

Everyone has a game plan until they get hit. It’s your typical boxing cliché but there was nothing mendacious about that statement on this particular night. From boxing and moving to fighting for survival, Anderson no longer walks around with an undefeated record. The trade-off, nevertheless, while painful, might’ve been worth it.

“I learned that I’m never gonna be the toughest, never gonna be the strongest. I gotta go in there with a good game plan and stick to it,” Anderson recently told The Ring. “I got hit with a good shot early on. I strayed away from any game plan if I had one and I just tried to be the toughest guy. Obviously, it didn’t work out for me.”

It’ll take some time before the new and improved Anderson is clicking on all cylinders. This past weekend, at the Theater in New York’s Madison Square Garden, the 25-year-old didn’t look like his smooth self. He looked clumsy and clunky as he won a fairly wide decision.

While the wrinkles are being ironed out, Anderson wants to remain active. Putting time between himself and the worst night of his professional life is a natural reaction but eventually, Anderson doesn’t want to just run away from his past. If he can pick up a few solid wins and stay relevant, then running things back with Bakole has to happen. If a rematch does take place, don’t expect the same old Anderson either. Instead, expect one that uses both his brain and brawn.

“I would love to fight him again. I think this time I would be a lot smarter, a lot wiser. I would definitely take a different approach to the fight if it ever happens again.”