Ryad Merhy is a professional boxer who has carved a name for himself in the world of boxing.
Known for his resilience and determination, Merhy has achieved significant milestones in his career, including becoming Belgium’s first WBA cruiserweight champion.
Below is an in-depth look at his life and career.
Ryad Merhy’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ryad Merhy |
| Nickname | – |
| Date of Birth | November 28, 1992 |
| Age | 32 years |
| Place of Birth | Ouragahio, Ivory Coast |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Religion | – |
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Turned Pro | June 29, 2013 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1–$5 million |
| Salary | Varies per fight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Relationship Status | Unknown |
| Instagram Profile | @ryadmerhy |
Ryad Merhy was born in the Ivory Coast but represents Belgium in the boxing world.
Standing at 5’11”, he began his professional boxing journey in 2013 and has since become one of the most prominent figures in Belgian sports.
Early Career
Ryad Merhy made his professional debut on June 29, 2013, against Hrvoje Bozinovic, securing a second-round knockout victory.
He quickly built an impressive winning streak, showcasing his knockout power and technical skills. By 2018, he had already challenged for major titles, marking the beginning of his rise in the competitive boxing scene.
Professional Career
Merhy’s professional career has been marked by notable achievements and challenges. In October 2019, he won the WBA Interim Cruiserweight title with a seventh-round knockout against Imre Szellő.
In January 2021, he was promoted to WBA (Regular) Cruiserweight Champion after Beibut Shumenov was stripped of the title due to inactivity.
Merhy successfully defended his title against Zhaoxin Zhang in July 2021 with a ninth-round TKO. However, he faced setbacks later in his career, including losses to Kevin Lerena in May 2023 and Jared Anderson in April 2024.
Despite these defeats, Ryad remains a formidable competitor with a professional record of 32 wins (26 by knockout) and three losses.
Ryad Merhy’s Net Worth Details
Ryad Merhy’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million as of 2025. His earnings stem from fight purses, endorsements, and other ventures related to his boxing career.
Fight Purses
Here is a breakdown of some of Ryad Merhy’s recent fight purses:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Purse (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 13, 2024 | Jared Anderson | Loss | $200,000 |
| December 9, 2023 | Tony Yoka | Win | – |
| May 13, 2023 | Kevin Lerena | Loss | – |
Career Records
Below is a table summarizing Ryad Merhy’s career highlights:
| # | Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Apr 13, 2024 | Jared Anderson | Loss | UD | 10 |
| 34 | Dec 9, 2023 | Tony Yoka | Win | SD | 10 |
| 33 | May 13, 2023 | Kevin Lerena | Loss | UD | 12 |
FAQs
1. Who is Ryad Merhy?
Ryad Merhy is a Belgian professional boxer of Ivorian and Lebanese descent. Born on November 28, 1992, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, he became Belgium’s first world boxing champion by holding the WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title from 2021 to 2022.
2. What is Ryad Merhy’s boxing record?
Ryad Merhy has a professional record of 32 wins (26 by knockout) and 3 losses. He has fought a total of 187 rounds in his career.
3. What are Ryad Merhy’s notable achievements?
Merhy won the WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title in 2021 and successfully defended it once. He also held titles such as the WBA Inter-Continental and WBC Silver International cruiserweight belts earlier in his career.
4. Why was Ryad Merhy stripped of his WBA title?
In August 2022, Merhy chose to vacate his WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title after declining to face Arsen Goulamirian in a title consolidation bout. He cited difficulties in maintaining the cruiserweight limit and expressed interest in moving up to bridgerweight.
5. What is Ryad Merhy’s fighting style and physical stats?
Merhy fights in an orthodox stance, stands at 5’11½” (181 cm), and has a reach of 71.3 inches (181 cm). His style emphasizes power, reflected in his high knockout ratio.
6. When did Ryad Merhy begin his professional boxing career?
Ryad Merhy made his professional debut on June 29, 2013, defeating Hrvoje Bozinovic via second-round knockout.
7. What was Ryad Merhy’s most recent fight?
His last fight took place on April 13, 2024, against Jared Anderson in Corpus Christi, Texas. He lost via unanimous decision after ten rounds.
8. Has Ryad Merhy fought outside the cruiserweight division?
Yes, he moved up to heavyweight and faced Jared Anderson in April 2024. Despite being undersized for the division, he pursued opportunities at higher weights.
9. What challenges has Ryad Merhy faced during his career?
Aside from losses to top contenders like Arsen Goulamirian and Kevin Lerena, Merhy has dealt with weight management issues that led him to vacate his cruiserweight title and consider competing at bridgerweight.
10. What is Ryad Merhy’s significance in Belgian sports history?
Ryad Merhy holds the distinction of being Belgium’s first-ever world boxing champion, marking a historic milestone for the country’s boxing scene.
