Ryad Merhy Discusses Proving Tyson Fury Wrong and Reveals Surprising Title Aspirations

On Saturday, April 13, Jared Anderson (16-0, 15 KOs) will fight for the first time in 2024 against Ryad Merhy (32-2, 26 KOs) in a 10-round bout at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, with the card promoted by Top Rank and shown live on ESPN. Ahead of this heavyweight bout, Ryad Merhy has spoken to Sky Sports about his desire to cause a shock.

Ryad Merhy vs. Jared Anderson: Belgian Eyes Bridgerweight Glory After Heavyweight Fight

Ryad Merhy Discusses Causing a Shock

Merhy, the former WBA cruiserweight champion, will step up to heavyweight to take on the big-punching Anderson, to shock the world and edge closer to a world title shot in the bridgerweight division.

The Belgian fighter addressed his aims for the future and how relaxed he is heading into the fight on April 13: “Let’s be reasonable, my first goal is to be world champion in the bridgerweight division,” he explained. 

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“That’s my first goal, become world champion in bridgerweight and then if opportunities come at heavyweight again I will catch it.

“But first I want to become world champion in bridgerweight.

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“I’m loving being the outsider, it’s a very comfortable position for me to be in. There’s no pressure. I’m not a heavyweight, I’m a bridgerweight so it’s just an opportunity I’ve caught and being the outsider gives me zero stress and very comfortable.”

He continued: “I’m waiting for my opportunity to catch the bridgerweight world title.”

Proving Tyson Fury Wrong

Tyson Fury has previously hailed “The Real Big Baby” as the future of the heavyweight division, which has left Merhy focused on proving “The Gypsy King” wrong: “I’m the future guy who is going to beat the future champion, Jared will lose that fight and I’ll prove Tyson Fury wrong.”