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Preview of the upcoming David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade fight, including predictions, odds, undercard details, expert picks, and start time. The highly anticipated bout between two top super middleweights is set to take place on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Despite being avoided by other top opponents, it is only fitting for these two great fighters to face each other in order to climb to the top of their division.
Former two-division champion Demetrius Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) is currently exploring the idea that pursuing big-name opponents like Canelo Alvarez, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Jermall Charlo has not been successful for him in his career.
At the age of 35, Andrade will have the opportunity to compete against top-tier opponents and could establish himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. This will happen when he takes on former two-time super middleweight champion David Benavidez, who has a record of 27 wins and 23 knockouts. The fight will take place on Saturday in a 168-pound bout at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, and will be broadcast on Showtime PPV at 8 p.m. ET.
"Even though fighters may not always want to step into the ring, I am happy that David doesn't have any other options," Andrade explained in an interview with CBS Sports. "It's logical for him to face me in a fight."
Following a convincing victory over former champion Caleb Plant in a PPV fight in March, 26-year-old Benavidez is being seen as the chosen one by boxing fans of Mexican-American descent to eventually take over from Alvarez. Benavidez, born in Arizona to parents of Mexican and Ecuadorian heritage, seems to have captured the attention and support of this fan base.
Benavidez, similar to Andrade, is aiming for a significant win against a challenging opponent in order to position himself for a title shot against Alvarez and his four world titles in the division. This victory could be the key step needed to secure a chance to challenge Alvarez for his titles.
Benavidez expressed uncertainty about Alvarez's actions during an interview on "Morning Kombat." He feels frustrated that people accuse him of seeking a payday whenever he speaks out. Despite being the mandatory fighter for the past two years and winning the title eliminator and WBC interim, he is surprised that the fight with Alvarez has not taken place yet.
"This man is only hurting himself by challenging me, as I am continuously improving and gaining valuable experience. I am feeling confident and determined, and I have no plans of backing down. When I face Canelo in the ring, I am certain that I will come out victorious and claim all the championship belts."
Are you a fan of boxing and MMA? Stay up to date with the latest news and analysis in the world of combat sports by subscribing to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, two experts in the field.
Do not overlook the fact that both fighters have ambitious goals and dreams of one day fighting against boxing's biggest star.
Benavidez's career has had its ups and downs, with him becoming the youngest champion in his division's history at the age of 20 in 2017. However, he faced setbacks when he was stripped of his WBC title twice – once for failing a drug test for cocaine and a second time during the pandemic for missing weight. Despite these challenges, Benavidez has shown growth and maturity in recent years. This was evident in his fight against Plant, where he displayed top physical condition and outlasted his smaller opponent over 12 rounds.
Benavidez is determined to demonstrate that he is the top super middleweight in the world. He has been training hard for three months and has had excellent sparring sessions. This upcoming fight on Showtime pay-per-view is crucial, and he plans to finish with a strong performance.
I am intrigued by these fights because they allow me to challenge myself and show my true character. Demetrius Andrade is a skilled fighter, which makes this match particularly exciting for me. I thrive under pressure and believe that my best performance comes out when pushed to my limits. I am eager for the opportunity to showcase my heart and spirit in front of a large audience.
This matchup is intriguing because Andrade, a boxer from Rhode Island who competed in the 2008 Olympics, is versatile and has a vibrant personality. However, his opponents have always considered him a risky opponent with little reward.
Andrade is a tall left-handed fighter who uses his quickness and cleverness to move around the ring in a unique way without getting hit, thanks to his exceptional defensive abilities. However, it would be unfair to say that this fight has been a long time coming for Andrade, considering the challenges he has faced in finding well-known opponents throughout his career.
Despite his impressive victories at 154 and 160 pounds against opponents like Vanes Martirosyan, Brian Rose, Willie Nelson, Jack Culcay, and Maciej Sulecki, Andrade has struggled to attract big-name opponents. He has often felt trapped in a promotional deadlock and has even thought about quitting the sport out of frustration.
Everything seemed to shift when he joined Al Haymon's Premier Boxing Champions in late 2022. This led to a victory over Demond Nicholson in his first super middleweight fight in January, under the Gervonta Davis-Hector Luis Garcia PPV event. This win set the stage for a potential match against Benavidez, as it became evident that Alvarez would not be part of his plans for 2023.
Andrade expressed that people have tried to avoid conflict with him, but he believes that when faced with a challenge, he will rise to the occasion and excel. He acknowledged feeling frustrated at one point and recognized the need to make a change in order to progress to where he is now.
Now I have more control over my own career. I don't have any commitments to a manager or promoter. I have a reliable team that I collaborate with, but we don't have any formal agreements. I am finally free from any constraints, and I am grateful to God for this freedom.
Andrade is known for being skilled at both attacking and defending in boxing. Despite this reputation, he has expressed his determination to defeat Benavidez by any means necessary, even if it means engaging in a direct exchange of punches with him.
Benavidez would rather be in the position of being pursued, but he is ready to take on the role of the pursuer if necessary, as he demonstrated when he defeated Plant eight months ago.
Benavidez expressed excitement for the potential war with his opponent, showcasing his warrior mentality. He approaches every fight with the mindset that his opponent will bring their best. Despite his opponent being a skilled boxer, Benavidez is confident in his ability to figure out his opponents and deliver powerful blows in the ring.
"I believe I have the advantage in intelligence, speed, and determination in this fight."
Andrade believes that Benavidez will be in peak physical condition this weekend, but he wants to emphasize that he is not Caleb Plant to critics and oddsmakers who have labeled him as a 3-1 underdog.
Andrade expressed that people are always excited to see Michael Jordan play, so he believes Benavidez would be motivated to fight him as well. He clarified that he is not like Caleb Plant, despite both being boxers. Andrade feels that he has not been able to showcase his best skills recently, but he is looking forward to the opportunity to do so in his upcoming fight against Benavidez. He described the match as two equals battling it out, rather than a mismatched fight.
One of the noteworthy fights happening on Saturday is the return of WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, who will be facing Jose Benavidez Jr., the older brother of David Benavidez. Charlo has been inactive since June 2021 due to personal issues with his family and mental health struggles. He is now aiming to overcome his ring rust in a 10-round non-title bout against Benavidez Jr., who secured his first victory in five years in August.
Before making a prediction on the main event, let's examine the other fights on the undercard more closely.
Information on the Benavidez vs. Andrade fight, including the fight card and odds, is available. Observers of Andrade's career may note that he has the ability to potentially cause an upset. However, there are concerns about his ability to withstand the relentless attacks of Benavidez, particularly in the later rounds when Benavidez tends to become more powerful.
A lesser-known skill of Benavidez is his ability to effectively defend against counterattacks when fighting at close range. While Andrade is known for his footwork, he must make sure to secure enough points early on before Benavidez adjusts his strategy and intensifies his attacks.
Andrade's strength lies in gradually building power throughout rounds, rather than relying on one big punch. This makes it challenging to discourage Benavidez from advancing. The key to gaining an advantage in the ring against him is to have a style that counters his aggressive approach, as he tends to be the busier fighter and lands more powerful shots, making it hard to win close rounds against him.
If Andrade is unable to harm Benavidez or disrupt his strategy to the point where he deviates from his plan, the most Andrade can achieve is a moral victory by lasting the entire fight. This will only bring Benavidez closer to a potential bout with Alvarez, which could be a defining moment in his professional career.
Prediction: Benavidez will win by unanimous decision after 12 rounds
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