Jared Anderson Tears Bicep — Wardley vs Dubois Loses Co-Main 13 Days Out

• Jared Anderson has been forced to withdraw from his Queensberry debut on the May 9 Wardley vs Dubois undercard in Manchester after suffering a torn bicep in sparring
• The 26-year-old American — once seen as the next big thing in US heavyweight boxing — was set to face a yet-to-be-announced opponent in a 10-round contest in what would have been his first appearance under Frank Warren
• Queensberry have confirmed they are working on a replacement co-main event for the Co-op Live arena with under two weeks until fight night, with a shortlist of British heavyweight names being considered

Anderson's Comeback Hits the Buffers — Again

Make no mistake, this is a proper kick in the teeth for Jared Anderson. The Toledo heavyweight has spent the past 18 months trying to get his career back on the rails after the Bakole loss in 2024, and signing with Frank Warren and the Queensberry banner was supposed to be the reset. Bigger fights, better camp, more aggressive matchmaking — and crucially, a launch pad on a Manchester heavyweight bill in front of UK fans who haven't really seen him fight live. Now he's tearing biceps in sparring 13 days out. That's how camps go. One bad rep, one awkward exchange, one bit of bad luck and your next 12 weeks are gone. He'll be on the operating table soon enough and looking at a layoff that won't have him back in the ring before late summer at the earliest. For a fighter trying to rebuild momentum, it's a setback he absolutely didn't need.

Why This Hurts the Card

Let's not beat around the bush — Anderson was the second-biggest fight on this card. Wardley vs Dubois is the headliner and that fight sells itself, but a Queensberry-built undercard always lives or dies on the supporting names. Anderson was the recognisable American storyline, the proper heavyweight, the man who could either remind people he's a problem or get exposed by an honest UK opponent. Either way, it was box-office. What's Frank Warren got left? Plenty, but nothing of that calibre. Jack Rafferty moves up to face Ekow Essuman at welterweight — a brilliant little fight in its own right. Liam Cameron faces Brad Rea at light-heavy. Khaleel Majid takes on Gavin Gwynne. All decent, all proper British fights — but none of them carry the international pull of an Anderson appearance.

What Queensberry Do Next

Frank Warren has form for pulling rabbits out of hats with replacement opponents at short notice. The shortlist will likely include a few British heavyweights — Joe Joyce has been calling for a fight, Martin Bakole would headline anywhere, and there are always Queensberry-stable names like Fabio Wardley's old conqueror who'd take a pay cheque on home soil. The realistic option, if you're being honest, is a late-notice domestic heavyweight scrap to give the card a flavour of British heavyweight depth. Don't be surprised if we get a name confirmed in the next 48-72 hours. Manchester punters have paid Co-op Live ticket prices and they'll want a proper show — not just the main event with twelve rounds of British prospects underneath.

The Wardley-Dubois Picture Hasn't Changed

Crucially, the headline fight is still on. Wardley still defends his WBO title against Dubois, and that's the fight that matters. Both men have been in serious camps, both have spoken brilliantly during fight week build-up, and both know that the winner walks straight into the conversation for a unification with the Joshua-Fury winner in November. If anything, the Anderson withdrawal puts a sharper spotlight on the main event. There's no second-event distraction. The whole Manchester crowd is there for one reason and one reason only — to see whether Wardley can keep the dream alive or whether Dubois finally announces himself as a proper, dominant top-tier heavyweight after the Joshua win.

My Take: Get Well, J.A. — Boxing Needs You Healthy

I'll say this — I want Jared Anderson back in the ring sooner rather than later. Not because his career narrative is fascinating, though it is, but because the heavyweight division is desperate for fresh American voices. Miller is great, but he's a New Yorker who's been around since the Obama administration. Wilder is 40 and approaching the end. There genuinely isn't a hot 26-year-old American heavyweight anyone is buzzing about — and Anderson, for all his recent troubles, was always meant to be that guy. Get the bicep fixed properly, take the time, come back fresh in the autumn against someone who'll test you. The division will still be there. As for May 9 — Wardley vs Dubois is more than enough on its own, and whoever Queensberry put on the co-main now has a brilliant chance to steal a Manchester night. Could be the making of someone. One thing's certain: May 9 at the Co-op Live just got a little more chaotic. Welcome to British boxing.