Jared Anderson has yet to find balance.
Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs), who returns to the ring on Saturday for Terence Crawford vs. Israel Madrimov’s Martin Bacall fight at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV, DAZN PPV, PPV.com), has had an eventful year outside of the ring.
He was arrested in March after fleeing police and crashing into a median after a six-mile high-speed pursuit, and was charged with eluding a police officer, a third-degree felony.
He pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor.
The suspect was arrested in November and charged with improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle while knowingly under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and operating a vehicle under the influence.
He pleaded not guilty to an amended charge of handling a firearm and a DUI charge was dropped.
Widely regarded as boxing’s best American heavyweight newcomer and a front-runner in title contention, the 24-year-old Anderson acknowledged he still struggles with the expectations placed on him.
“It’s something I’m still learning,” Anderson told the Post. “I’m not here to be a role model for anyone. I’m here to do a job and do it well. Unfortunately, in this sport, the villains get paid just as much as the superheroes. Whatever role I have to take on, I’ll do it. I’d like to believe I’m one of the superheroes, but it kind of turns the other way because people choose to make their own assumptions about me. That’s the reality.”
Anderson, from Toledo, Ohio, accepts responsibility for both incidents but doesn’t think they have changed him much.
“I guess the learning has just felt like becoming more mature in certain situations,” Anderson said. “But for the most part, I’m the same person I’ve always been. I’ve always been a good kid. I make mistakes like everybody else, but I think I’ve proven myself enough. Even through tragedies and mistakes, I own up to it and move forward.”
Unlike many others in the sport, labels don’t matter much to Anderson.
He’s already being called the next United States heavyweight champion and one of boxing’s most promising new stars.
But Anderson isn’t fighting for attention, labels or fandom.
Anderson, who gave birth to his first child, a daughter, just days before Saturday’s fight, is fighting for himself and his family.
“It doesn’t mean much to me,” Anderson said of the label given to her. “It means something to other people. Everybody has their own opinion. I’m happy with it to people, but I’m worried about myself and my future and my family. It’s not about the look I give people or what people think of me.
Inside the ring, Anderson has had few issues.
He is yet to be truly tested, but his last fight, a unanimous decision win against Riyad Merhi, was arguably the most boring of his career.
Merhi was determined to be unstoppable, and he landed 144 punches – the third-fewest in a 10-round fight in Compubox’s 39-year history – to deny Anderson any real finishing power.
But Anderson believes Bacall (20-1, 15 KOs) can meet him in the middle of the ring and give him the type of fight he craves.
Anderson is making mistakes outside the ring, but it’s hard to find any once the bell rings.
He certainly doesn’t plan on changing that anytime soon.
“I don’t think you’re going to get to see the greatness that I can reach,” Anderson said. “Every time I step in the ring, you’re going to see me a little bit more, a little bit more. I don’t think there’s a ceiling or a roof that I can reach. I’m sure every time I step in the ring, you’re going to see me get a lot more, a little bit better.”
