Ryad Merhy, 31, lost on points to American Jared Anderson, 24, for his 17th victory, Saturday evening (American time) in Corpus Christi, Texas. Tyson Fury’s ‘sparring partner’ had an advantage both in weight (114 kg-107 kg) and in height (1m96 – 1m81), compared to our compatriot who never worried him, during his first fight in the United States. The three American judges also had an implacable score in favor of Anderson: 100-90 for Ruben Carrion, 100-90 for Ellis Johnson and 99-91 for David Sutherland.
This is the third defeat in thirty-five fights for the former WBA light heavyweight world champion (between 79.378 and 90.718 kg), after the technical knockout in the 11th round against Frenchman Arsen Goulamirian, in March 2018 in Marseille, and the more recent one, on points against the South African Kevin Lerena, in Johannesburg in May 2023.
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Ryad Merhy had announced that he would especially have to defend. Parrying blows is indeed what he did during the ten rounds of this fight, forgetting to throw any, under the whistles of the public at the American Bank Center. A bit of the same scenario, but worse, than facing Lerena. In any case, it is impossible to hope to win before the limit in these conditions, the objective that the Belgian had nevertheless set for himself.
“It wasn’t a good fight” admitted the winner, visibly frustrated. “I wanted to offer a show to the public, but alone, it’s very difficult. There was no opening. I don’t see what more I could have done, other than maybe finishing it before the limit. But how ? It was practically impossible against an opponent who refused to fight. The main thing was to not give him any rounds. It’s a bit disappointing. It is therefore better to already think about what comes next, and about future, more exciting challenges.“, concluded Jared Anderson, who retains his two titles (WBC USA and WBO International).
On the defensive throughout the fight despite the orders of his Marseille trainer Samuel De Cubber (“Stop respecting him!“) between the rounds, and the visible displeasure of referee Lee Rogers, even if he came out of his reserve a little bit in the tenth round, it is now time for Merhy to return to his Bridgerweight category (between 90,719 and 101,605 kg), of which he is aiming for the WBC world belt.
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