Jared Anderson says the Heavyweight division is “wide open” and hopes to compete with world Heavyweight champions, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, as well as Deontay Wilder before their careers are over.
Anderson (7-0, 7 KOs) returns to the Top Rank Bubble at the MGM Grand Conference Center, Las Vegas on Saturday night to take on Kingsley Ibeh on the undercard to Joe Smith’s vacant WBO Light Heavyweight title tilt against Maxim Vlasov, live on ESPN in the USA and BoxNation in the UK.
The 21-year-old, sparred with WBC champion, Fury in preparation for his rematch victory over Wilder in February and is hopeful of competing alongside him and unified Heavyweight champion, Joshua in the coming years.
“I think it’s pretty wide open other than the top three fighters,” Anderson said on a Zoom conference call on Monday.
“Everything else is just a toss up and up for debate. That’s where I come in and plan to be in that top four now, hopefully before their reign is over with.
“But, if they happen to go before then, so be it that just means it’s more room for me.
“But, I plan to be in the top four of those Anthony Joshua’s, Deontay Wilder’s and Tyson Fury.
“So, like you said [it’s] pretty wide open, I don’t see anyone stopping me or anyone that puts a big whole in my plan.”
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‘The Real Big Baby’ registered five wins in 2020, four of which came inside the Bubble when Boxing resumed behind closed doors in June.
The Ohio native is expecting the biggest test of his career thus far against Ibeh, who claimed a majority decision draw against fellow Top Rank Heavyweight, Guido Vianello in October.
“He’s an opponent who actually has heart, who wants to fight,” Anderson added.
“He’s not just going to lay down, he’s actually going to fight and he has something for me, so I’d love to prove a point and make a statement with him.
“I think he was a fighter, like I said I want to prove a point. I’m tired of everybody coming on Top Rank’s posts saying that I’m fighting bums and fighting people that just want to lay down.
“So, I’m looking to fight someone that they think and started to enjoy watching him fight, so I can pick him apart.
“And when the fight is easy, then they’ll see that I’m really the best prospect there is.
Asked when Ibeh ranks compared to his previous opponents, Anderson replied: “Top, for sure.
“I think he’s definitely better than everyone I’ve fought.”
Watch the full interview with Jared Anderson below. Video courtesy of Top Rank YouTube:
