A new chapter begins for Jared Anderson on May 9, when the American heavyweight faces Solomon Dacres in Manchester, England, on the undercard of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois at Co-op Live Arena. It will be Anderson’s first fight in the United Kingdom and his first appearance since a February decision win over Marios Kollias at Madison Square Garden.
Queensberry revealed Dacres as the opponent on social media, with the bout scheduled for 10 rounds. For Anderson, 26, this is more than a comeback date — it is an early measuring-stick fight under a new promotional setup and a chance to show he can rebuild momentum in front of a crowd that won’t be there for him.
Dacres, a former British heavyweight champion, enters at 10-1 with three knockouts. He is still something of an unknown to many American fans, but that cuts both ways. Heavyweights with size, patience and a local crowd behind them can create awkward nights, especially for a fighter trying to reestablish himself as a serious name in the division. Dacres was stopped in the first round by David Adeleye in December 2024, so this also feels like a crossroads moment for him.
From an American perspective, the matchup will be viewed as a test of where Anderson really stands. He remains one of the more talented U.S. heavyweights in a division still looking for its next American headliner, but he also needs a convincing performance against a sturdy opponent rather than just another win on paper. If Anderson handles Dacres cleanly, the conversation quickly shifts back toward higher-tier names and bigger international opportunities. If he struggles, the long-term ceiling questions won’t go away.
Manchester should provide a strong fight-night atmosphere, especially with Wardley and Dubois topping the bill, and that matters. Anderson is walking into a genuine road environment, the kind that often reveals whether a young heavyweight is ready for contender-level pressure. On May 9, that may be the most important thing to watch.