Unbeaten heavyweight contender Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) picked up his seventeenth win on Saturday evening, beating Ryad Merhy (32-3, 26 KOs) by a ten-round unanimous determination in a struggle that was booed loudly by followers at ringside on the American Financial institution Middle in Corpus Christi, Texas. The scores had been 100-90, 100-90, and 99-91.
Lack of Motion Leaves Crowd Disgruntled
The struggle resembled a sparring match greater than an actual one, and neither man appeared fascinated about going all out to make it entertaining for the followers. The boos had been echoing across the American Financial institution Middle as a result of lack of motion.
Anderson ought to have gone all out for the knockout. His opponent wasn’t throwing punches, and he may have unloaded on him to attain a stoppage.
It appeared that Anderson had second ideas about going for a knockout after he was nailed by an enormous left hook from Merhy, who had higher hand velocity and energy. He simply wasn’t throwing for some motive.
If Merhy had let his palms go, he might need scored an upset victory over Anderson. The boldness simply wasn’t there.
This was not the type of efficiency from the 24-year-old High Rank-promoted Anderson that may fear any of the division’s top-level heavyweights.
Jared confirmed zero energy and a whole lack of killer intuition towards a man who was a punching bag with arms. Anderson would retreat every time Merhy tried to throw a punch, which was one motive they did not knock him out.
Ajagba Outlasts Vianello in Rollercoaster Combat
The co-main occasion was an entertaining one, with 2016 Olympians Efe Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) and Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (12-2-1, 10 KOs) trying horns and going to struggle for ten thrilling rounds. Ajagba gained a ten-round break up determination. The scores had been 96-94 Vianello, 96-94, 96-94 Ajagba.
Vianello bought the higher of the early motion, rocking Ajagba in spherical two with a proper hand after catching him backing up. The 6’6″ Ajagba walked to the unsuitable nook after the spherical ended.
Ajagba recovered and turned the struggle in his favor, touchdown sharp punches towards a drained Vianello, and appeared to brush rounds 3 via 8. Vianello got here on within the ninth and tenth to make the struggle shut, however Ajagba did sufficient to earn a ten-round break up determination.
What’s Subsequent?
Anderson’s efficiency raises questions on whether or not he’s bought the expertise to get to the subsequent stage. I don’t see High Rank dumping Anderson, provided that they’ve poured a lot cash in his profession, however he’s not going to go far.
It’s believed that High Rank goes to guard Anderson lengthy sufficient to maneuver him in place to struggle for one of many titles as soon as Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua retire.
Additionally they may use him as an opponent for a kind of guys to get a cash-out, and as soon as he loses, proceed defending him till they retire after which slide him again in.
