Tony Yoka’s last winner, the Belgian Ryad Merhy (31 years old, 107 kg, 1.80 m, 32 victories, including 26 before the limit, now 3 defeats) was beaten on points (90-100, 90-100, 91 -99) by the American Jared Anderson (24 years old, 114 kg, 1.93 m, now 17 wins, including 15 before the prelim., 0 d.), Saturday evening in Corpus Christi (Texas). Challenger number 4 WBO, 5 WBC and IBF and 13 WBA heavyweight, the latter is considered the greatest current hope in the category.
Well protected by his high guard, Merhy rarely engaged, while Anderson, who worked a lot with the direct, never sought a knockout. At the end of the ten rounds, the Belgian was was severely criticized by the American media for his lack of effort, while spectators began to whistle from the second round.
“It’s a great success for Ryad, because he’s not a real heavyweight,” said his agent, the Belgian Philippe Fondu. He didn’t take a hit. His strategy was to let Anderson box the first three-four rounds. Unfortunately, like many boxers who fall behind, you fall asleep and then can’t start. And Anderson himself ended up no longer committing. This is a worse performance for him than for Ryad. Anderson showed he doesn’t know what to do against someone who isn’t moving forward. »
“Anderson, who was never able to accelerate (…), was switching from left-handed to right-handed, not knowing what to do. I don’t see him getting far”
Philippe Fondu, agent of Ryad Mehry
Undeniably, the American did not make as strong an impression as Mike Tyson in his early days in the 1980s. “Each time Riyadh accelerated, Anderson took blows,” continues Fondu. Everyone told me the fight wasn’t going to last more than three or four rounds. We knew that Ryad had very little chance of winning, because he is not a big hitter, but he was not ridiculous. Anderson, who was never able to accelerate against him, was switching from left-handed to right-handed, not knowing what to do. I don’t see him getting far. »
Merhy plans to go down to the new super-light heavyweight category (-101.605 kg), where he is WBC number one challenger, while Anderson has a meeting with the Michigan justice system on Monday. On February 29, he was stopped for speeding. The officer smelled marijuana in his vehicle, discovered an open bottle of tequila and a firearm. Refusing to be arrested, Anderson fled in his car, before being caught. He then benefited from a reprieve for another case last November.
