Jared Anderson is monitoring Shakur Stevenson as he ramps up preparation for Saturday's game against Riyadh Mahi.
The 24-year-old is competing in his 17th professional fight at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, and is the favorite to win his 17th title.
Anderson has stopped all but one of his 16 previous opponents (including a rare 10-round victory over former IBF champion Charles Martin in July 2023). However, he has consistently proven to be a very destructive fighter and is one of the best in the world. He is trying to learn from WBC lightweight champion Stevenson, a cultured boxer.
Just as Anderson is widely expected to prove to be the best heavyweight of the next era, the 26-year-old Stevenson will compete against Crawford, Floyd Mayweather and the world's best active fighters. He is expected to prove to be the long-term successor to Terrence Crawford.Andre Ward visited the dressing room before the win. Speaking against Edwin de los Santos in November, Anderson explained: He is a silver medalist and world champion. That's why I wanted to see him.
“But he's also my brother, and he's such a down-to-earth, gentle soul. Our start was certainly rocky, but I'm definitely grateful for our relationship and the great experience we've had over the years together.” I've respected him in that part, and that's why I wanted to watch him.
“We're in the same city. We use the same gym. We certainly link up and talk often and try to check in on each other's health.
“That's the kind of thing that's portrayed when we post on social and get into each other's fights and stuff like that. We're all cornered by each other. It's like we've known him forever. It’s like, that’s how we talk.”
Belgian Melch, 31, is less of a test for Anderson than Martin or Anderson's previous opponent Andriy Rudenko, but Anderson is scheduled to appear in court in two days. He is charged with “fleeing a police officer, a third-degree felony.”
“Events happen in life, so we can't talk every day, but we always check in on each other when we get the chance, and if we hear something or think the other person needs a little more attention, we don't know if it's a mistake.'' I'll help you wherever I can,'' Anderson continued of Stevenson. “We'll show up.”
