Jared Anderson vs Ryad Merhy Preview April 13th, 2024
Unbeaten heavyweight hopeful Jared ‘Big Baby’ Anderson returns to the ring this Saturday, April 13th when he takes on former WBA Cruiserweight Champion Ryad Merhy of Ivory Coast. The 10-round heavyweight tilt from Corpus Christi, Texas can be seen live in America on the ESPN and ESPN+ platform from Tulsa, Oklahoma while fans in the UK can catch it on Sky Sports Action. Anderson last fought in August when he stopped Andriy Rudenko in the fifth round to defend his WBO International and WBC USA Heavyweight Crowns. Anderson won the vacant WBO International Belt in December, 2022 by stopping Jerry Forrest in the second round and added the vacant WBC USA Title by halting George Arias in the third round last April. Merhy last boxed in December when he edged 2016 Olympic Heavyweight Champion Tony Yoka by a 10-round split decision.
Anderson vs Merhy Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Ryad Merhy +500
- Jared Anderson -800
MY PICK
‘Big Baby’ Anderson is just 24 years old and owns a perfect record of 16-0 with 15 Ko’s. He’s boxed just 46 rounds since making his pro debut in 2019 and that’s obviously because he owns a highly-impressive knockout ratio of 93.7 per cent. He enjoyed a successful amateur career and won the 2017 and 2018 U.S. National Championships. Understandably, he’s being brought along relatively slowly in the pro ranks but 15 of his 16 opponents have entered the ring with a winning record with two of them, George Arias and Vladimir Tereshkin being undefeated at the time and Charles Martin being a former world heavyweight titleholder.
Anderson won the vacant NABF Jr. Heavyweight Title in October, 2021 when he stopped Tereshkin in the second round. He stands 6-feet-4-inches tall with a 78.5-inch reach but isn’t the quickest or most fluid heavyweight out there but does have a steady, effective jab to accompany his power and he certainly has the power and determination to make his mark in the division. He took a step up in class against Martin last year and definitely had his chin tested but passed the test. However, the fight showed that he still has some work to do as he works his way up the rankings ladder to taking on some top-ranked heavyweights.
Merhy is 31 years old and now fights out of Brussels, Belgium. He’s boxed 177 rounds since making his pro debut in 2013 and climbs into the ring with an impressive mark of 32-2 with 26 Ko’s. He’s reportedly 5-feet-11-inches tall with an unlisted reach, so gives up five inches in height to Anderson and has fought most of his career as a cruiserweight with his last three bouts coming as a heavyweight. He had an eight-inch reach disadvantage against Yoka though and managed to outwork him.
As far as power is concerned, Merhy doesn’t match Anderson but he’s not far off it as 81.3 per cent of his wins have come by way of stoppage, including five of his past six victories. He captured the vacant WBC International Silver Cruiserweight Title in 2015 and added the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Belt the next year and defended it three times before being stopped by Arsen Goulamirian in the 11th round in a shot at the interim WBA Cruiserweight Crown in 2018. He then managed to win the interim belt by halting Imre Szello in seven rounds in October, 2019.
In July, 2021, Merhy stopped Zhaoxin Zhang in the eighth round to take the WBA World Cruiserweight Title, but then moved up to the heavyweight division. Merhy has fought mainly in Belgium and France throughout his career against European-level competition and 20 of his 33 opponents have entered the ring with a winning record. His biggest wins have been against the likes of Williams Ocando, Mas Alexander, Mitch Williams, Nick Kisner, Demetrius Banks and Samuel Clarkson.
PREDICTION…
This should be another good test for Anderson as Merhy is a seasoned pro, a former world champion with a pretty good chin and solid power. Anderson is seven years younger, the naturally bigger man and has more power though. He’s run afoul of the law a couple of times lately and if he’s not focused he could pay for it. But as long as he’s well prepared and mentally ready I’m expecting Anderson to add another win to his unbeaten record.
Anderson’s power, size and age will be the difference here.
Play: Anderson -500 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Jared Anderson betting • Ryad Merhy betting