NEWS
Jared Anderson Moves to the UK Under Frank Warren — The Heavyweight Rebuild Begins
Jared Anderson has signed with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions and will base his comeback in the UK. After the devastating loss to Martin Bakole, the American heavyweight prospect is starting fresh on British soil. At 24, the talent is still there. The question is whether the confidence survived.
March 27, 2026
Boxing Lookout
- Jared Anderson signs promotional deal with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions, will fight exclusively in the UK
- The American heavyweight (17-1, 14 KOs) is rebuilding after his first professional loss to Martin Bakole
- Warren plans to develop Anderson on UK cards with a path back to world level within 12-18 months
A Fresh Start Across the Atlantic
There are moments in a fighter's career where a change of scenery becomes essential. For Jared Anderson, that moment arrived with stark clarity after the Martin Bakole loss. The American heavyweight who was supposed to be the next big thing—the man who'd sparred with Tyson Fury, who'd been groomed for stardom by Bob Arum at Top Rank—found himself at a crossroads.
The answer? Cross the Atlantic. Sign with Frank Warren. Base himself in the UK. Start again.
It's a bold move, and it's the right one. Anderson's talent has never been in question. At 24, he's a natural heavyweight with genuine hand speed, solid fundamentals, and the kind of athletic ability that can't be taught. The Bakole loss exposed weaknesses—stamina management, defensive lapses when tired, a tendency to rely on athleticism when discipline was needed—but those are fixable problems for a fighter this young.
Warren clearly sees the upside. Queensberry's heavyweight stable is already stacked—Fury is the headline act, Daniel Dubois holds a belt, and the likes of Moses Itauma represent the future. Anderson slots into that ecosystem perfectly: an American heavyweight with name recognition fighting on UK cards, adding international flavour to domestic shows while getting the rounds and experience he needs.
Why the UK Makes Sense
The British heavyweight scene is the most active in the world right now. Cards happen regularly, the talent pool is deep, and promoters like Warren have the infrastructure to keep fighters busy. Anderson's biggest problem in the US was inactivity—long gaps between fights that prevented him from developing the consistency he needed.
In the UK, Warren can put Anderson on Queensberry cards every eight to ten weeks. That kind of activity builds rhythm, sharpens timing, and—critically—teaches a young fighter how to manage the mental side of the sport. Coming off a loss, Anderson needs to feel the ring under his feet regularly. He needs the routine of camp, fight, rest, camp, fight. The UK scene provides that.
There's also something to be said for the anonymity that comes with fighting abroad. In the US, Anderson was carrying enormous expectations. He was the next great American heavyweight, the heir to the division's richest tradition. That pressure—whether he admits it or not—was a factor. In the UK, he's an interesting American import, a talented heavyweight who the fans will enjoy watching but who doesn't carry the same weight of expectation.
The Path Back
Warren's plan, according to sources close to the deal, is a 12-to-18-month rebuild. Anderson will fight credible but beatable opponents on UK cards, gradually increasing the level of opposition until he's ready for world-level competition again. Think of it as an apprenticeship—learning his craft against European heavyweights who'll test different aspects of his game.
The UK heavyweight scene offers plenty of useful opponents. Fighters who'll push Anderson without being expected to beat him. Fighters who'll test his body work, his chin, his stamina, his ability to fight through adversity. Each fight becomes a lesson, and the cumulative effect over a year of regular activity should be transformative.
If Anderson stays disciplined, stays active, and wins convincingly, he'll be right back in the world title conversation by late 2027. He's only 24. The Bakole loss, painful as it was, doesn't define him unless he lets it.
The Verdict
Smart move from Anderson, and a shrewd signing from Warren. The UK heavyweight scene is the perfect environment for a talented young fighter to rebuild, and Warren's promotional machine ensures Anderson won't be sitting on the shelf waiting for fights. At 24, with 17 wins and genuine ability, this story is far from over. The next chapter starts in Britain, and it could end with a world title.