Weekend Review: Jared Anderson: Talented fighter on self-destructive path

BIGGEST WINNER
Jared Anderson

Anderson won another battle. We’ll see whether he wins the war.

The unbeaten heavyweight contender had no trouble defeating Ryad Merhy on Saturday night in Corpus Christi, Texas, claiming a near-shutout 10-round decision against an overmatched unwilling to engage.

Nothing in his performance will have changed the minds of those who believe Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) is on track to become a world champion one day soon.

Something else might give those people pause, however: The 24-year-old’s inexplicable behavior outside the ring, which could derail his pursuit of stardom – and his life outside the ring, which includes a child on the way – if he doesn’t get his act together.

Anderson was arrested twice in the past few months, first for violating gun laws (for which he received a suspended sentence) and then taking police on a chase that exceeded 130 mph. He’s due back in court Monday on a felony charge for the second incident.

He has said mostly the right things in the wake of his missteps, acknowledging that the chase was a mistake and calling it a “lesson learned.”

However, I found two things on the ESPN broadcast Saturday night alarming. One, he said he doesn’t regret the chase. And, two, he wore what appeared to be a car racing outfit – including a helmet — during his ring walk.

I don’t understand how on one hand he could acknowledge foolish behavior and then express no regret. That makes it seem as if no lesson was learned after all. And the helmet? My interpretation is that he was making light of serious charges and/or thumbing his nose at authorities.

A vehicle becomes a missile at those speeds. He was fortunate that no one was killed, including himself. To minimize the bad judgment he demonstrated by wearing the racing outfit was unconscionable.

“Jared Anderson coming out in a racing theme,” said ESPN broadcaster Joe Tessitore, obviously taken aback by the fighter’s choice of apparel. “Helmet and all after back in February he was just charged with third degree felony for fleeing police … in [a] chase that reached speeds that reached 130 miles per hour. And now he makes his ring walk in an auto racing uniform and helmet.”

I was as stunned as Tessitore seemed to be. And I’m guessing many others were, too.

I wonder whether someone whispered in Anderson’s ear that cultivating a bad-boy image could serve as a marketing tool, which isn’t a novel idea. Some people like rebels. However, if that was the strategy, there are better ways to do it than endangering the lives of those around you and then using it as a prop. That’s crossing a line.

Anderson has the natural gifts and skill set to succeed Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk as the face of heavyweight boxing. However, that won’t be his destiny if he doesn’t grow up.

He’s the Biggest Winner here because of his success in the ring. He could easily become the Biggest Loser.