NEW YORK – Jared Anderson’s return from his knockout defeat to Martin Bakole definitely didn’t amount to the easy, quick work the hard-hitting heavyweight wanted.

Anderson took control of what had been a competitive bout with Marios Kollias during its second half, though, and comfortably won their 10-rounder by unanimous decision on the Denys Berinchyk-Keyshawn Davis undercard at Madison Square Garden’s Theater. Judges John Basile (99-91) and Ron McNair (99-91) scored nine rounds apiece for Anderson, who won eight rounds according to Robert Perez (98-92).

Anderson (18-1, 15 KOs), of Toledo, Ohio, fought for the first time since Scotland’s Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) knocked him out in the fifth round of a dangerous fight promoter Bob Arum didn’t want Anderson to take on the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov undercard August 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

The heavy-handed Bakole knocked Anderson to the canvas once in the first round and twice during the fifth round. Referee Jerry Cantu stopped their scheduled 10-rounder at 2:07 of the fifth round, after Anderson got up from that third knockdown.

Kollias (12-4-1, 10 KOs), of Patras, Greece, came to fight and landed his fair share of flush punches. Anderson still never encountered danger comparable to the Bakole bout.

The 10th round became interesting in its final minute, though.

An unprovoked Anderson flung Kollias to the canvas with about 50 seconds to go in the second bout streamed by ESPN+. Referee David Fields didn’t sternly warn Anderson for the flagrant foul.

Toward the end of the last round, Kollias backed Anderson into the ropes and landed three right hands as Anderson mostly attempted to cover up. An incredulous Anderson scoffed as Kollias raised his arms after the final bell sounded.

An assertive Anderson spent much of the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth rounds battering a fatigued Kollias, whose output diminished during those 12 minutes of action.

Anderson’s punches appeared to begin wearing down Kollias during the fifth round. Kollias fired back after hearing the 10-second warning, but he accomplished little else in a fifth round Anderson controlled.

Kollias exploited Anderson’s defensive deficiencies early in the fourth round by landing hard head shots as Anderson pressed forward. Anderson attacked his body during the second half of the fourth round, however, and made Kollias reluctant to throw punches for much of it.

Kollias connected to Anderson’s head and body during the final minute of the third round. Anderson, who worked well off his jab, had his way with Kollias for much of the third round until that point.

Anderson unloaded on Kollias early in the second round, which became competitive as it continued. Kollias connected with enough rights during those three minutes to make Anderson realize he wouldn’t simply walk through him.

Anderson attacked Kollias’ body consistently during the first round, but Kollias kept him honest by landing two left hooks in exchanges. A left hook by Kollias backed up Anderson several seconds before the opening round concluded.

In the first fight of the night, Nico Ali Walsh suffered the second defeat of his pro career.

Chicago’s Juan Guerra Jr. (6-1-1, 2 KOs) upset him by split decision in their six-round middleweight match. Las Vegas’ Ali Walsh (11-2, 5 KOs, 1 NC), a grandson of Muhammad Ali, lost by the same score, 58-56, on the cards of judges Georgi Gergov and Woleska Roldan.

Judge Ken Ezzo scored their fight for Ali Walsh, also 58-56.

Also on the card, Juanmita Lopez De Jesus had a picture-perfect debut at The Theater in New York's Madison Square Garden. In just over a minute, he got rid of Bryan Santiago (1-2-1). Once his left hand connected, Santiago was unaware of his surroundings. He laid flat on his back during the count and failed to make it back to his feet.

The welterweight division is about as bloodthirsty as it gets. Rohan Polanco though, is determined to make a name for himself.

Jean Carlos Torres was considered a significant step up in competition. At least he was supposed to be. Once the opening bell rang, Polanco (15-0, 10 KOs) took the center of the ring and waited for his opponent to meet him. Torres (22-2, 17 KOs) attempted to stand and hold his ground but a quick one-two saw him hit the mat.

He struggled to get back to his feet but once he did, he was met by a violent barrage. With the final few seconds ticking off the clock, Torres held on for dear life. In the second, Polanco picked up exactly where he left off. In just the first few seconds, he sent Torres back to the mat. A few moments later, a brave Torres continued to fight but a three-punch combination staggered him once again, forcing the referee to step in and call things off.