By Jim Calfa: Heavyweight fringe contender Jared Anderson says he wants the “top names” in the division after his victory over second-tier fighter George Arias last weekend in Newark, New Jersey.
Assuming his promoters at Top Rank give the 23-year-old Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs) his wish of putting him in with a notable heavyweight, they would need to choose wisely because the opposition thus far has been exclusively ham & eggers that would lose to virtually anyone in the top 15. That’s the problem.
Anderson has been matched similarly by Top Rank as one of their former stable fighters Edgar Berlanga, who started his career with 16 straight first-round knockouts. When they advanced him to fringe-level fighters, he struggled, looked terrible, and is no longer with the company. Will the same thing happen to Jared Anderson?
It would be a good idea for Top Rank to be conservative with who they match the 6’4″, 240-lb Jared against if they step him up because, as we saw in his fight with Arias last Saturday, he’s very easy to hit, and he lacks power.
Anderson leaves himself open when he attacks his opponents with combinations. His hand-eye coordination isn’t the best, as he’s unable to block incoming shots. Right now, Jared is getting away with having poor defensive skills because the fighters that Top Rank is feeding him have zero power, but that’ll change obviously if they grant him his wish to start fighting “top contenders” in the division.
The ideal starter opponent for Anderson would be Dillian Whyte, as he’s old, shot, chinny, and is well-known in the boxing world.
However, Whyte’s promoter Eddie Hearn probably won’t let Top Rank use him as a stepping stone for Anderson to destroy to make a name for himself. Hearn still has plans on using Whyte as a confidence booster for his fading star Anthony Joshua to get a win and make a little coin from the British fans. If Hearn were willing to let Top Rank use Whyte as a trial horse, he’d be perfect for Anderson.
Options for Jared Anderson’s step-up fight:
- Carlos Takam
- Fabio Wardley
- Luis Ortiz
- Murat Gassiev
- Joseph Parker
- Derek Chisora
- Otto Wallin
- Tony Yoka
- Efe Ajagba
- Agit Kabayel
- Charles Martin
- David Adeleye
Chisora and Wardley are also with Hearn, so they won’t be options for Anderson because Eddie likely still has plans for them.
“I’m the best heavyweight in the world. I want those top names. I want those top contenders. Everybody who keeps calling people out, put my name on the list now. I’m not ducking. I’m not running. And you goin’ to catch this smoke,” said Anderson last Saturday night after his win over Arias.