Heavyweight hopes headline a Top Rank card at American Bank Centre in Texas, with the highly-touted Jared Anderson the main attraction, as he takes on Ryad Merhy over a scheduled ten rounds.
Sky Sports televise Anderson vs Merhy in the UK, and ESPN are on USA broadcasting duties.
Anderson (16-0, 15 KOs) is the next prospect off the American heavyweight production line, after a series of devastating early wins.
He was taken the ten round distance for the first time in July last year though, as former IBF champion Charles Martin took that honour, but was thrashed over ten rounds on the cards.
‘Big Baby’ Anderson returned to early win duties in his last contest, a fifth round stoppage win against Andrii Rudenko in Tulsa.
Belgium-based Merhy (32-2, 26 KOs) is the next to attempt to halt the Anderson bandwagon, and he comes off a career-best win.
After losing in a bid for the WBA cruiserweight title with an 11th round stoppage defeat to Arsen Goulamirian in 2018, Merhy won seven straight before being outscored by Kevin Lerena in May last year in South Africa. He rebounded in December, taking a split decision over Tony Yoka in Paris.
Prediction: Anderson has shown good early poise in his pro career, and he can take another inside schedule win with victory in the middle rounds against Merhy.
Ajagba clashes with Vianello
Anderson is seemingly on a collision course with Efe Ajagba (19-1, 14 KOs), and the Nigerian also appears here. He meets Guido Vianello (12-1-1, 10 KOs).
Ajagba has won his last four since losing a decision to Frank Sanchez in October 2021, picking up the WBC Silver title along the way. His last outing came last November, stopping Joseph Goodall in four frames.
Ajagba’s power is SERIOUS! 😳#AjagbaVianello x #AndersonMerhy | Sunday, 2ampic.twitter.com/yVpAysBFa7
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) April 9, 2024
Vianello is a big puncher himself, but began 2023 with a seventh round stoppage loss to Jonathan Rice. He rounded off the year with a comeback points win, and started 2024 with a first round stoppage of Moses Johnson.
Prediction: Ajagba is that bit more rounded than Vianello, and I expect him to show authority in taking an early win before halfway.
Villa, Conceicao see action
Former word title challenger Ruben Villa (21-1, 7 KOs) is also in ten round action, and the featherweight should have enough for a clear win on the cards in his meeting with Cristian Cruz Chacon (22-6-1, 11 KOs).
#OTD in 2020, Emanuel Navarrete defeated Ruben Villa to become a two-division world champ 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/3FWRYcvi0a
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 9, 2022
In eight rounders, Robson Conceicao (17-2-1, 8 KOs) returns from a draw against Emanuel Navarrete for the WBO super featherweight title, and he should take a points victory in his encounter against Jose Ivan Guardado Ortiz (15-1-1, 5 KOs).
Jalan Walker (12-0-1, 10 KOs) can win inside the distance, also at super featherweight, against Alejandro Guerrero (12-4, 9 KOs).
Abdullah Mason (12-0, 10 KOs) can take his lightweight meeting against Ronal Ron (14-5, 11 KOs) early, while Charly Suarez (16-0, 9 KOs) can outscore Luis Coria (15-6, 7 KOs) in their super featherweight clash.
The only six rounder is at welterweight, where John Rincon (8-0, 2 KOs) can win on the cards against Yainiel Alvarez Telemaco (3-3-2, 1 KO).
In four rounders, debutant Ali Feliz can halt Anthony Woodson III (1-1, 1 KO) at heavyweight, and middleweight debutant Julian Delgado can outscore Juan C. Tamez (1-0, 0 KO).
