Jared Anderson Dominates Ryad Merhy in Lackluster Heavyweight Bout
In a lackluster fight that left fans disappointed, heavyweight star Jared “Big Baby” Anderson secured an easy 10-round unanimous decision victory over Belgium’s Ryad Merhy at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi on Saturday. The judges scored the bout a shutout at 100-90, with one official giving a 99-91 card.
From the opening bell, Anderson dominated the action with a strong jab and occasional power punches, but Merhy showed little ambition and failed to mount any significant offense throughout the fight. Despite his efforts to showcase his skills and send a message to the heavyweight elite, Anderson was unable to deliver the exciting performance he had hoped for.
“I wanted to give the fans a better show, but what can you do?” Anderson expressed his disappointment during a post-fight interview with ESPN. “I stayed sharp for 10 rounds, that’s the biggest takeaway. I gotta make some changes. I got hit with a few punches. He didn’t even come to fight, so I shouldn’t have got hit at all.”
Despite the lackluster performance, Anderson remains undefeated with a record of 17-0 (15 KOs), while Merhy drops to 32-3 (26 KOs). The American fighter has had recent legal troubles, including pleading guilty to firearms charges and facing a felony charge for fleeing a police officer. However, if he can stay out of trouble, Anderson has a promising future in the sport.
In the undercard bouts, Efe Ajagba, Robson Conceicao, and other fighters showcased their skills and secured victories in their respective matchups. The night was filled with action-packed fights, setting the stage for future matchups in the heavyweight division.