Boxing Preview: Jared Anderson (16-0-0, 15 KOs) vs. Ryad Merhy (32-2-0, 26 KOs)

Jared Anderson, the undefeated heavyweight sensation from Toledo, Ohio, is gearing up for another knockout performance. He’s stepping into the ring against Belgian contender Ryad Merhy in a ten-round headline fight at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Saturday, April 13.  

In a co-main event clash of 2016 Olympians, Nigerian powerhouse Efe Ajagba will battle Italian contender Guido Vianello in a ten-round showdown that’s sure to deliver fireworks.  

Kicking off the televised action, three-time world title challenger Robson Conceicao aims to keep his junior lightweight world title hopes alive as he faces the surprising Jose Guardado over eight rounds.  

Top Rank’s Bob Arum is thrilled about the event. He believes Jared Anderson is the next big thing in the heavyweight division and can’t wait for Corpus Christi fans to witness this rising star in action. Arum also promises a thrilling clash between Ajagba and Vianello, ensuring a night of heavyweight drama that fans won’t want to miss.  

Anderson had a stellar 2023, securing three wins, including two knockouts. He stopped George Arias in three rounds, impressed the crowd in Toledo against Charles Martin, and then dispatched Andriy Rudenko in Tulsa. Now, he’s ready to start the year with a bang in Corpus Christi, confident that Merhy isn’t prepared for what’s coming.  

Merhy, originally from the Ivory Coast but fighting out of Belgium, is a seasoned fighter. After claiming a cruiserweight title in 2021 and moving up to heavyweight, he’s coming off a win against Tony Yoka in Paris. Unfazed by the challenge, Merhy is ready to take on Anderson.  

Following a recent training session in Houston, Anderson said: “I feel like my career is going in the right direction. The only way is up. But I’m still working like it’s my first day. We’re on the job, so make sure you all stay with the journey. Stay with me.”  

“I have a better IQ than Merhy. You have to have a high IQ to do this. I have one of the best IQs in the heavyweight division. So, make sure you watch the little things. Make sure you watch for the details.”  

“He’s got a beating coming. I always come to entertain. Don’t miss it.”  Ajagba, rebounding from his first career defeat, has racked up wins against Stephan Shaw, Zhan Kossobutskiy, and Joe Goodall. He remembers Vianello from their Olympic days and knows he’s in for a tough fight.  

Vianello, after a setback against Jonnie Rice, has come back strong, shutting out Curtis Harper and demolishing Moses Johnson. He sees the fight with Ajagba as a golden opportunity to prove himself against one of the division’s best.  

Conceição, Brazil’s first Olympic boxing gold medalist, has faced tough opponents like Oscar Valdez and Shakur Stevenson. He’s coming off a draw against Emanuel Navarrete and is ready to take on Guardado, a fighter making his first appearance outside Mexico, fresh off a win over Aramis Solis.  

With undercard fights streaming exclusively on ESPN+, this event is shaping up to be a memorable night for boxing fans.  

Henry Lebron, the Puerto Rican junior lightweight with a smooth left hook and an impressive record (19-0, 10 KOs), will clash with Charly Suarez from the Philippines (16-0, 9 KOs), in a bout that’s sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Last November, Lebron narrowly defeated William Foster III, climbing further up the ranks.  

John Rincon, the welterweight pride of Corpus Christi (8-0, 2 KOs), is set to dazzle locals once more in a six-round bout. Rincon, no stranger to the American Bank Center spotlight, previously secured a win against Bryan Ismael Rodriguez Rivera. In the lightweight division, Abdullah Mason (12-0, 10 KOs), a 19-year-old powerhouse from Cleveland, steps back into the ring for an eight-round battle against Ronal Ron (14-5, 11 KOs). Mason, fresh off a jaw-dropping knockout of Benjamin Gurment, is already turning heads with his powerful left hand.  

Ruben Villa (21-1, 7 KOs) is gearing up for a featherweight showdown against Cristian Cruz Chacon (22-6-1, 11 KOs), a seasoned warrior from Mexico.