WBC–USNBC and WBO International heavyweight champion, Jared Anderson, has been taken into police custody. Anderson was arrested on Thursday in Huron Township, Michigan for obstructing cops. The news has come as a shock to boxing fans around the world. Furthermore, the timing of it could not have been worse.

On 13th April, the Toledo, Ohio-based fighter is scheduled to take on his Dutch opponent, Ryad Merhy. The Texas fight could have been his big push to the elite club. It remains uncertain if his arrest will have any impact on the fight. This uncertainty is doubled given the ambiguity of the entire situation.

Jared Anderson arrested for obstructing cops

Rising heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson has been arrested, according to a Huron Township official. However, he has not been charged with any crime at this time. While holding the number 8 spot on ESPN’s heavyweight rankings, Anderson is currently signed with Top Rank, led by boxing promoter Bob Arum. The company has declined to comment on the matter.

In November last year, ‘Big Baby’ was taken into custody in Ohio. He was charged with improperly handling firearms in a vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol and drugs. One month later, in December, the 16-0 Anderson pled no contest to an amended charge of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle. However, the Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated (OVI) charges were dropped.

ESPN’s Mike Coppinger broke the news via his social media. In the first post, he wrote, “Jared Anderson was arrested Thursday on a warrant for allegedly obstructing police in Huron Township, Michigan, per records obtained by ESPN. The heavyweight contender is set to fight Ryad Merhy on April 13 in Corpus Christi, Texas, on ESPN.” In his second post, he added, “Anderson is currently being held at the Huron Township Police Department and hasn’t been charged with any crime at this time, according to a Huron Township official.”

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The fighter was fined $200. Further, he was given a 180-day suspended sentence at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio contingent on the offense not being repeated again. The fighter, a knockout machine, last fought in August 2023, against Andriy Rudenko, securing his victory through a 5th-round technical knockout. Having undertaken three fights last year, spectacularly winning all of them, he was poised as the next great champion in the heavyweight division.

Also Read: Jared Anderson Takes a Dig at “Silent” Filip Hrgovic for Calling Out Joseph Parker for a Fight on Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou Undercard

Do you think the arrest will jeopardize his standing in the boxing world? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.