What happened to boxer Jared Anderson's brother? The American speaks on family struggles ahead of Martin Bakole fight
Jared Anderson makes his highly-anticipated return against Congolese knockout artist Martin Bakole. The hard-hitting heavyweights will compete against one another on the Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov fight card. The much-awaited boxing event takes place at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Aug. 3, 2024.
Boasting an impressive amateur boxing background, Anderson is 17-0 in the professional boxing realm. He's secured 15 of those victories via KO/TKO. Many foresee 'Big Baby' aka 'The Real Big Baby' as a future champion in the sport. Moreover, the 24-year-old's story is just as compelling outside the ring as it is on the inside.
What happened to boxer Jared Anderson's brother?
Jared Anderson has lately had a couple of run-ins with the law. The timeline of his legal issues can be traced back to his arrest in Nov. 2023. He was arrested again in Feb. 2024. Regardless, the talented pugilist has long known the perils of being in conflict with the law.
Jared's older brother, Adam Anderson reportedly perpetrated a home invasion on May 18, 2013. Per the Toledo Blade in 2014, the 20-year-old Adam pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and involuntary manslaughter in relation to the death of a 34-year-old man named James Safadi.
Adam Anderson, Phillip Allen, and James Allen allegedly invaded and robbed a house in South River Road, Waterville, Ohio. They were solicited by Safadi's neighbor, Ronald Rooker. Adam claimed he held Safadi's girlfriend at gunpoint and that his accomplices robbed and shot Safadi.
As reported by Boxing News before his fight against Jerry Forrest in late 2022, Jared Anderson indicated that his brother, Adam Anderson aka 'Dub,' was serving a lengthy prison sentence in a penitentiary in their native Ohio. Jared's hat read: 'FREE DUB' -- and he emphasized that he hopes his brother doesn't have to serve the entire 22-year term.
Jared Anderson expressed his gratitude toward his brothers, including Adam, who he credited for keeping him away from a life of crime and focused on boxing. As seen below, Jared paid tribute to his brother by sporting a prison attire in his walkout for his fight against Miljan Rovcanin in Aug. 2022.
Moreover, speaking to the Daily Mail, Jared Anderson recently explained that his brother's incarceration forced him to mature and take over the responsibility of protecting and providing for his family members. Anderson stated:
"My brother went to jail when I was 13. He was the oldest, and really at that time, he was the man of the house ... So that alone made me grow up and made me come to the realization that I have to, you know, be there for a lot of other people that would need me to be there for them."
The heavyweight explained that he boxes to help provide for his family and doesn't always love the sport. However, he emphasized that he values the brotherhood he shares with his stablemates and the structure and discipline the sport brings to his life.
Anderson indicated that his mother's guidance and his involvement in boxing saved him from ending up behind bars or dead. He also alluded to the close relationship he shares with his stepfather.
Furthermore, in a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Anderson highlighted his desire to help his brother get out of prison at the earliest and wanting to help his other siblings and mother as well. He also alluded to his famous 2023 conversation with Roy Jones Jr., in which he was on the verge of tears while receiving personal and professional advice from the boxing legend.