Jared Anderson isn’t anticipated to have an excessive amount of hassle with Ryad Merhy on Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The rising 24-year-old heavyweight contender acknowledged the problem smaller opponents can pose typically. Anderson has a few 5-inch top benefit over Merhy, a former cruiserweight contender. And Merhy (32-2, 26 KOs) has extra expertise.
Nonetheless, Anderson (16-0, 15 KOs) has no doubts about who’s going to have his hand raised on ESPN.
“Merhy has a unique degree of expertise,” Anderson mentioned. “However the whole lot from my newbie pedigree and what I’ve all the time completed to everybody, whether or not they have expertise or not, will play a unique function.”
“The problem [with smaller fighters] is that it’s a must to typically cope with their pace, which we skilled for. However I don’t actually see to many challenges with this. I don’t actually see too many challenges.
“I’m used to combating all sorts of completely different individuals. I’m used to coaching with all sorts of individuals. So in the event you don’t put together correctly, then you definately received’t carry out correctly. So simply know that we got here ready for certain.”
Merhy has fought solely 3 times as a full-fledged heavyweight, with combined outcomes.
The 31-year-old Belgian suffered a major setback when he misplaced a unanimous choice to former contender Kevin Lerena final Might. Nevertheless, he bounced again to assert his largest victory, a split-decision upset of 2016 Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka in December.
That outcome earned him the chance to face a prime contender on a giant stage, though he acknowledged that he’s lucky.
“I’m very comfortable to be right here,” Merhy mentioned. “What an awesome alternative. Who would have ever thought that from a small nation like Belgium I’d be capable to present my expertise in America? I hope to characterize my nation.”
That doesn’t imply he’s coming to lose.
Sure, he’s naturally smaller than Anderson, who weighed in Friday 15.3 kilos heavier than his opponent (250.9 to 235.6). Nevertheless, he believes he can compensate along with his edge in expertise.
“Jared is a really proficient fighter,” Merhy mentioned. “He is a good prospect. However this Saturday I’m going to point out that he nonetheless has an extended technique to go. I’ve gone 177 rounds as a professional, whereas Anderson has solely gone 46. So we’ll see if that performs a giant distinction on Saturday.”
Anderson doesn’t imagine something will stop him from notching one other victory and transferring a step nearer to his first title shot.
“Anticipate the perfect model of me,” he mentioned. “Anticipate to see me shine. Anticipate to see me dominate and present why I belong right here.”
