Founder and CEO of Top Rank, Bob Arum, has sent out a message to the heavyweight division following Jared Anderson’s most recent victory, that failed to appease the viewers’ appetites for violence.
Anderson is considered to be America’s ticket to bring the heavyweight world titles back across the pond, regarded by many as one of the division’s most exciting prospects.
Yet, despite 15 knockout wins in his 16 fights going into his bout at the weekend, the fight itself proved to be a fairly dull one.
Ryad Merhy, who upset the odds to defeat Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka in his most recent outing, appeared content to survive against Anderson who won all but one round across the combined scorecards of the ten-rounder.
It made for disappointing viewing as Merhy threw just 144 punches, the third lowest output of any ten-round fight within the last 39 years.
On social media, a clearly frustrated Arum declared his demands to find an opponent who would genuinely come and try to defeat ‘The Real Big Baby’ and offer more of a fight than Merhy did.
“We’re looking for a heavyweight who thinks he can actually beat Jared Anderson. We need someone brave enough to get in the ring with Jared and give him a real battle. There’s no one he would be reluctant to fight at this point.”
In terms of who that man may be, both Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte can be considered as game opponents who have each challenged for the heavyweight world title and both are likely looking for a fight around Anderson’s level.
However, Top Rank’s reluctance to allow Anderson to fight in Saudi Arabia could scupper plans to fight either of the two Brits, leaving Arum looking towards his own stable which boasts the likes of Efe Ajagba and Arslan Makhmudov.