Proving Ground: David Benavidez vs Demetrius Andrade

Undefeated super middleweights David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade throw hands on November 25th in Sin City.

I like this fight. I see it as a proving ground, especially for the 35-year-old Andrade.

Andrade, nicknamed Boo Boo, falls under the motto – what have you done for me lately?

He’s boxed 32 times and never lost, but who has he beat?

Willie Nelson (not the country legend), Jack Cultcay, Alanmtez Fox, Walter Kautondokwa, and Artur Akanov? In 2013, he defeated Vanes Martirosyan for a superwelterweight belt and Culcay in 2017 for junior middleweight honors.

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez told Andrade a few years ago, “Man, you fight with nobody. You are a champion, but you fight with nobody.”

He beat Liam Williams two years ago and Demond Nicholson last January.

Andrade CAN fight. He is a tricky southpaw with some pop. (occasionally) He moves well. His fights have often left fans feeling sleepy.

But still, he wins. And wins. Isn’t winning the bottom line? Not so much in boxing. Entertaining is also high up on the list (for some)

I’ve seen him fight a handful of times. The guy is good.

“The shame of Boo Boo Andrade is he’s probably one of, if not the most talented guy of this generation,” said Paulie Malignaggi recently on ProBox TV. “And we never really got to see him at a high level against the highest level opponents at his best.”

Andrade feels he’s ready.

“I’ve waited my whole career for this,” said Andrade. ; With what we both have inside of us, it’s going to make it a great fight. I don’t really know his strengths until I get in there, but from watching him, he likes to overwhelm his opponents. That’s really all I see.

Benavidez, whom Mike Tyson nicknamed “The Mexican Monster,” has his detractors as well, namely former champion Tim Bradley.

“To me, Benavidez is a fighter getting a lot of clout, said Bradley. “Yes, we call him The Monster,; but as I watch him on film, I see a lot of opportunities where I think with the smarts of Andrade can make him pay.”

Benavidez,26, has laced them up 27 times without a loss. He’s scored 23 knockouts. The Phoenix, Arizona native – stopped former champions Anthony Dirrell in 2019, David Lemieux, and in his last fight, Caleb Plant.

He started slow against the athletic Plant, being outboxed and losing early rounds. Benavidez kicked it up in the middle of the fight, catching Plant with wicked shots and combinations. Plant hung in and fought hard to the final bell.

Benavidez fought well against Plant. His superior power and determination were too much overall.

The decision was unanimous in favor of Benavidez, but the victor was not completely satisfied.

“I’m a little upset with myself that I didn’t get the stoppage.”

Andrade will probably try to outbox Benavidez and gain his respect. Slow the train down when it gets going.

As of this writing, oddsmakers have instilled Benavidez as a 4-1 favorite.

Are they right?

We shall see on fight night.