After winning gold at the U.S. National Championships, Jared Anderson was immediately signed by Bob Arum and Top Rank. Known for developing young prospects, Arum looks to prepare Anderson for greatness. Can the Toledo, Ohio, native live up to the hype?
Making his pro debut at 19, “The Real Big Baby” has won 14 of his first 15 fights via knockout. Now 23, Anderson has beaten Jerry Forrest and Charles Martin, the latter in his last fight in July 2023 in what was considered his toughest test to date.
A 15-0 start with 14 knockouts pops, and it begs the question as to how Anderson compares to some of boxing’s best. Of course, the sweet science is far from an exact science and many of boxing’s best didn’t make a true impact until long after they turned 23. Rocky Marciano didn’t turn professional until he was 23. Jersey Joe Walcott didn’t win a world championship until he was 37.
Anderson is on a trajectory to achieve great things at a much younger age. Time will tell if he can make anywhere near as big an impact.
Here’s a breakdown of the careers of some of the best to put on gloves, and their record through age 23.
Muhammad Ali
Record at 23 or younger: 22-0 (18 KOs)
Final career record: 56-5 (37 KOs)
Before he became Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay made a name for himself as an Olympic champion and a highly-touted pro. “The Greatest” had already beaten Archie Moore, Doug Jones, and Henry Cooper before defeating Sonny Liston via corner retirement to win the heavyweight championship at age 22.
At age 23, Ali landed one of the quickest (albeit controversial) knockouts in heavyweight title history when he dropped Liston two minutes into the first round of their rematch, posing over him in a now-iconic photograph. Six months later, Ali tortured former champ Floyd Patterson for a TKO 12 win in his last fight at 23.
Joe Louis
Record at 23 or younger: 35-1 (29 KOs)
Final career record: 66-3 (52 KOs)
Holding a record of 25 consecutive title defenses, Joe Louis is one of the most influential boxers of all time and icon in and out of the sport. Known as “The Brown Bomber”, he is ranked No. 1 on The Ring’s 100 Greatest Punchers list.
The LaFayette, Alabama-born Louis already had wins over Primo Carnera and Max Baer before facing James J. Braddock in 1937 for the NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles. Against “The Cinderella Man,” Louis, who had just turned 23, scored an eighth-round knockout to win the championship he would hold for over 11 years.
Louis defended the title against Tommy Farr, Nathan Mann, and Harry Thomas before turning 24.
Jack Dempsey
Record at 23 or younger: 51-5-8 (37 KOs)
Final career record: 58-6-9 (43 KOs) * Dempsey’s record varies depending on source
Dempsey was a true pioneer, with his bout against Georges Carpentier on July 21 drawing boxing’s first-ever million-dollar gate. During a time when there were no limits on fights during a calendar year, “The Manasa Mauler” fitted over 60 fights into a 13-year professional career.
Making his pro debut at the age of 19 in 1914, Dempsey’s first match at 23 was a win over Tom McCarty. By this point, he already had over 40 wins on his record. At the tail end of his 23rd year, Dempsey knocked down Jess Willard seven times to become champion. By then, the new heavyweight king had over 50 wins on his record.
Mike Tyson
Record at 23: 38-1 (34 KOs)
Final career record: 50-6 (44 KOs)
“The Baddest Man on the Planet,” Mike Tyson was an enigma during the 80s and early 90s.
Debuting at 18, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in the sport at 20 when he destroyed Trevor Berbick in two rounds for the WBC title.
From there, Tyson went on a dominant run against the best the division had to offer at that time. His first fight at 23 was a TKO 1 win over Carl Williams in 1989 to retain the undisputed championship. While his final victory at 23 was a win over former amateur rival Henry Tillman, Tyson also succumbed to a colossal upset loss to Buster Douglas in the fight before that.
Following his release from prison, Tyson regained two world titles in 1996, defeating both Frank Bruno and Bruce Seldon.
Tyson Fury
Record at 23: 19-0 (14 KOs)
Current career record: 33-0-1 (24 KOs) * career ongoing
Tyson Fury, the current WBC heavyweight champion, shocked the world at 27 when he beat Wladimir Klitschko to win the IBF, WBA, WBO, and Ring championships. However, “The Gypsy King” started his career strong, beating John McDermott (twice) and Derek Chisora before he hit the elite level.
The first Chisora fight, in 2011, saw the then-22-year-old Fury beat “Del Boy” in his 15th pro fight to win the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. His fights at 23 (2011-2012) were against Nicolai Firtha, Neven Pajkic, Martin Rogan, and Vinny Maddalone, all of which he won by TKO.