NEWARK, New Jersey – As his matchmakers try to find another opponent to test his pulverizing power, Jared Anderson’s handlers are also eager to prove his drawing power in his next fight.
BoxingScene.com has confirmed that the rapidly developing heavyweight knockout artist will headline a card for the first time July 1 in Anderson’s hometown of Toledo, Ohio. ESPN will televise Anderson’s 10-round main event against an opponent to be determined from Huntington Center in downtown Toledo.
Whoever he faces, Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs) is looking forward to proving he is an attraction in his hometown. Huntington Center can hold more than 8,000 fans for boxing.
“I think it’s gonna be a huge opportunity,” Anderson told BoxingScene.com. “I’m real excited to go fight back home. I think I got a huge support system at home, so I’m just ready to go home.”
The 23-year-old Anderson, who resides in Houston, hopes to take a step up in opposition when he returns to the ring after a brief break. It hasn’t been easy, however, for Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., which promotes Anderson, to find formidable heavyweights willing to fight him for reasonable purses.
“I’m with it all,” Anderson said. “I’ve been ready to fight ‘em, so whoever we can pick up is whoever we can pick up. I’m ready to headline with whoever, any of the biggest names.”
The 6-foot-4, 247½-pound Anderson battered previously unbeaten George Arias for most of their three-round fight Saturday night at Prudential Center. Arias’ trainer, Leon Washington, wouldn’t allow Arias (18-1, 7 KOs) to leave his corner for the fourth round because the heavy-handed Anderson landed various punishing punches that left Arias disoriented as he came back to his corner after the third round of a 10-round co-feature ESPN televised.
“I’m different,” Anderson told ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna following another impressive victory. “I’m nice. I’m the best heavyweight in the world. I don’t give a f— what nobody is talking about. You hear me? I made that look easy, man, because he helped me make it look easy, man. He wasn’t throwing punches for real. I kept my defense tight. My jab was on point. It was an easy night.”
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.