Jared Anderson might be the most exciting prospect in heavyweight boxing, and ‘Big Baby’ will be back soon with his next fight now CONFIRMED.
The Top Rank prodigy has quickly blossomed into a young man on the fringes of the world title picture, now ranked in the top 15 by several of the sport’s sanctioning bodies. He has compiled a 16-0 record (including 15 wins inside distance) by showcasing elite athletic ability and freakish power.
READ MORE: Latest ‘Ring’ heavyweight rankings
He continued that impressive development by claiming three wins from three fights in 2023, including his first ever distance night when he was taken to the scorecards before claiming a unanimous decision against former IBF world heavyweight champion Charles Martin.
The future appears to be very bright for the 24-year-old from Toledo, Ohio – so much so that he was listed as one of six possible opponents for IBF mandatory contender Filip Hrgovic on that huge Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou card on March 8.
Anderson on Hrgovic, and next fight
It looks like Hrgovic vs Anderson is not happening any time soon though, with Jared claiming in a recent camp update video that the unbeaten Croat (17-0) is “scared” of him. Instead he will lock horns with Belgian heavyweight Ryad Merhy in a Top Rank card in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 13 (live on ESPN, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes).
Merhy (32-2 with 26 KOs) should present a decent test for Anderson, having defeated French Olympic champion Tony Yoka in his last outing in December. Before that he had dropped a unanimous decision to Kevin Lerena.
READ MORE: Joshua vs Ngannou – big fight TV guide and undercard details
While it’s clear that Anderson would have loved to fill that void for Hrgovic on March 8 (he said “I wish” after being asked if the Croat would be his opponent), continuing his learning curve at this stage might be just as good an option in the long term.
‘Big Baby’ also did an impromptu Q and A at the end of that camp update video (watch it all at the bottom of this page) and gave his verdict on that long-awaited Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk unification match, now set for May 18.
“I think Tyson’s still gonna win, by decision. I think by decision,” he revealed.
