Unbeaten heavyweight Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (16-0, 15 KOs) and Ryad Merhy (32-2, 26 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their ESPN clash on Saturday at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Jared Anderson: “Expect the best version of me. Expect to see me shine. Expect to see me dominate and show why I belong here…the challenge {with smaller fighters} is that you have to sometimes deal with their speed, which we trained for. But I don’t really see to many challenges with this. I don’t really see too many challenges. I’m used to fighting all types of different people. I’m used to training with all types of people. So, if you don’t prepare properly, then you won’t perform properly. So, just know that we came prepared for sure.”
Ryad Merhy: “I’m not looking for anything. They’re looking for me. I’m a cruiserweight who has moved up to the heavyweight division because I was called out. They keep calling me, and now I’m here. Jared is a very talented fighter. He is a great prospect. But this Saturday I’m going to show that he still has a long way to go. I have gone 177 rounds as a pro, while Anderson has only gone 46. So, we’ll see if that plays a big difference on Saturday.”
In the 10-round heavyweight co-feature, Nigerian puncher Efe Ajagba (19-1, 14 KOs) and Italian standout Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (12-1-1, 10 KOs) will clash in a battle of 2016 Olympians.
Efe Ajagba: “I want to see what he brings to the table. We sparred. But that’s sparring. That’s different from an actual fight. He thinks that I’m going to fight like I how sparred. But it’s not going to be like that. This fight means a lot because it is a stepping stone.”
Guido Vianello: “We know each other. We are two aggressive fighters in the ring, I can’t wait to fight. I can’t wait to see what happens in there.”
The eight-round televised opener features Brazilian three-time world title challenger Robson Conceição (17-2-1, 8 KOs) against Jose Guardado (15-1-1, 5 KOs).
Robson Conceição: “For sure it was a tough fight with Emanuel Navarrete. It was a war. And I learned a lot from it. I also prepared a lot for this fight. And I think I will get another title shot soon.”
Smell like ko
Well change your underwear.
espn ok…
So glad ESPN continues to show good quality fights for free…
I’m surprised Abdullah Mason’s fight isn’t being televised. He’s the most talented fighter on the card.
Agreed. He has a very high ceiling Nordic! Probably won’t happen, but I would like to see him beat up keyshawn.
Facts, I’d want him on all of my cards if I had a company.
I respect the warrior in Merhy for fighting an undefeated much bigger man. The only upset here is if Merhy goes the distance and can hurt Anderson more then Charles Martin.
“The eight-round televised opener features Brazilian three-time world title challenger Robson Conceição (17-2-1, 8 KOs)…….”
– Going from 12 round title fights to an 8-round bout???
free fight on espn anderson gets a free pass his opponent is unknown anderson has to get a ko to draw fans
If you follow boxing closely you will know that Merhy is far from unknown. He has been in Yoka, Lerena and Goulamirian. Merhy has fought mainly at Cruiserweight and he knows how to take care of himself in the ring.
did not know this good luck to merhy hope this is a competitive fight