Jared Anderson (16-0, 15 KOs) returns for his first fight in 2024 against Belgian fighter Ryad Merhy (32-2, 26 KOs) at the American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, live on ESPN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK, on a Top Rank promotion. Ahead of this bout “The Real Big Baby” has spoken to Sky Sports and sent out a warning to the rest of the heavyweight division, and revealed his confidence ahead of the clash against Merhy.
Jared Anderson Sends Warning to Heavyweight Division
Jared Anderson Ready for Ryad Merhy
In preparation for his next fight, Anderson has warned the rest of the division – he is only going to get better, as he plans for a rapid ascent up the heavyweight rankings: “I know I’m still growing,” he warned. “I haven’t even hit my grown man strength.”
“The Real Big Baby” has shown his power throughout his career so far, winning 15 by KO. He stopped the previously undefeated George Arias and destroyed Andrii Rudenko by a fifth-round TKO.
Anderson Talks Merhy Bout
Speaking on his Belgian opponent, the Houston resident said: “He’s a former cruiserweight so to expect speed is common sense. That’s what we train for. But as well sharp counters and stuff like that. So that’s what we’re ready for.”
Merhy has appeared full of confidence ahead of the fight in Corpus Christi, Texas, but this is not phasing Anderson: “He can say it all he wants but he’s got to prove it.” He continued: “He’s got to prove something to me. I don’t know why he thinks I’ve got something to prove. I don’t have anything to prove. If anything he’s the one coming in trying to make something.” He added: “I’m just going to go in and do my job.”
His promoters Top Rank, appear to have a plan for Anderson and his assault on the heavyweight division: “He’ll have three fights this year, the second fight we’re planning for Toledo, Ohio, which is Jared’s hometown,” said Top Rank’s Bob Arum.
He continued: “Then next year, 2025, I hope to have him fight with all the top contenders. So by the end of 2025, the beginning of 2026, he is the inevitable challenger for the heavyweight title and I hope that at that point he’s ready to become the heavyweight champion.”
Arum then spoke about the long-term plan: “We don’t want him to get in and fight a title fight, and win the title fight, and then not have the maturity to defend that title.”
“Because of his relatively young age, it will be a long title reign. That’s our hope.”
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