Jared Anderson ready to return and names his targets: ‘I’m ready to fight right now’
The career of Jared Anderson remains somewhat of an enigma, much like Orson Welles after Citizen Kane, a talent so obvious it almost became its own obstacle. A single career loss in 2024 has seen the career of the Toledo native flatline. However, speaking to The Ring, “The Real Big Baby” revealed he’s edging closer to a return, naming two potential “stepping stone” opponents.
The career of Jared Anderson
Jared Anderson eyes comeback
Jared Anderson (18-1, 15 KOs) made his professional boxing debut in 2019, racing to 17-0, with impressive wins against George Arias, Charles Martin, and Jerry Forrest.
He took a step up in class in 2024 on the Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov undercard, where he faced the dangerous Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole. Anderson ultimately fell short, being knocked down three times, before the referee stepped in to wave the fight off.
The American did not return until February 14, 2025, when he looked unconvincing and often disinterested in an uninspired unanimous decision win against Marios Kollias, with scorecards of 99-91 x2 and 98-92.
It remained unclear what the future held for the talented heavyweight when he signed a co-promotional deal with Frank Warren, and was set to face Solomon Dacres on the undercard of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois 1, before a biceps injury curtailed those plans. It now appears the 26-year-old is planning to be back in the ring in late 2026.
Discussing his recovery from the biceps injury, Anderson told The Ring: “I’ve been rehabbing in recent months at the University of Toledo in Ohio, and I feel that I’m back to being a hundred percent.”
“Mentally, I’m doing really well. I’m in a way better place. Physically, I’m doing great. I’m stronger. We are just working out some kinks to get the next fight lined up. I’m working as hard as ever to get the work done. I am ready to fight right now, but we will get things worked out,” added the American.
‘The Real Big Baby’ identifies two potential opponents
Rearranging the fight against Dacres doesn’t appear to be a realistic proposition, with Dacres set to face Bakhodir Jalolov on October 17 on the undercard of Dubois-Wardley 2.
“I should be in the ring later on this year, regardless of who I’m fighting against,” Anderson said.
Revealing the level of opposition he’s targeting, Anderson said: “I would like to fight someone like David Adeleye (14-2, 13 KOs) or Dave Allen (27-9-2, 20 KOs). I’m ready to fight anyone that is going to be a stepping stone for me to get to the next big one.”
Anderson has often spoken about walking away from the sport at 27, and while speaking to The Ring, he addressed the comments he made three years ago:
“The objective is to keep my faculties and my health intact and to get out of the game quicker than most,” Anderson said. “I’m not going to put a date on it anymore, but I’m not trying to be here for another 15 years either. I’m always ready to fight and want to make the best fights against the biggest fighters.”
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Ricky Carroll
Freelance Writer and Digital Marketer, spending most of his time waiting for Andy Cruz to win a world title. Also watches YouTube videos of Lennox Lewis fights on a daily basis.