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Predictions, odds, undercard, and expert picks for the upcoming fight between David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade are being discussed. This highly anticipated match between two skilled super middleweights will take place on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Despite being avoided by top opponents in the past, it is only logical for these fighters to face each other in order to reach the pinnacle of their division.
Former two-division champion Demetrius Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) is now focusing on a new approach. He has spent a large part of his career trying to fight big names like Canelo Alvarez, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Jermall Charlo without much success.
Andrade, who is 35 years old, will have the opportunity to compete against top-tier opponents and potentially be considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing. He will face David Benavidez, a former two-time super middleweight champion with a record of 27 wins and 23 knockouts, in a 168-pound fight on Saturday at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The fight will be broadcast on Showtime Pay-Per-View at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Andrade expressed that fighters may not be eager to fight, but he is pleased that David does not have any other options. He believes that it is only logical for David to face him in a fight.
After a convincing victory over former champion Caleb Plant in their March pay-per-view fight, 26-year-old Benavidez, born in Arizona to parents of Mexican and Ecuadorian heritage, appears to have been chosen by boxing's core Mexican-American fan base as the future replacement for Alvarez.
Benavidez, similar to Andrade, is aiming for a significant win against a challenging opponent in order to be considered for a title shot against Alvarez and his four world titles in the weight class.
Benavidez expressed uncertainty about Alvarez's actions during an interview last month. Despite being the mandatory fighter for the past two years and winning the title eliminator and WBC interim, he has not been able to secure a fight with Alvarez. This situation has left him feeling confused and frustrated.
This individual is only hindering themselves, as I am continuously gaining valuable experience and becoming more confident. I have no plans of leaving anytime soon. Once I face Canelo in the ring, I am confident that I will be victorious and take all of his belts.
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Both fighters have high aspirations and dreams of one day facing boxing's biggest star, but this doesn't mean they are underestimating each other.
Benavidez had struggled in the past, facing setbacks such as losing his WBC title twice due to a failed drug test and missing weight. Despite these challenges, he has shown significant growth and maturity in recent years. His fight against Plant showcased his improved physical condition and strategy, ultimately leading to a victory after wearing down his smaller opponent over 12 rounds.
Benavidez is determined to show that he is the top super middleweight in the world. He believes his intense training camp, which has lasted for three months, along with the quality sparring sessions he has had, will help him prove his skill. He sees this upcoming Showtime pay-per-view as the perfect opportunity to make a statement and end on a high note.
I am intrigued by fights like these because they allow me to challenge myself against a skilled opponent like Demetrius Andrade. It's a chance for me to show my determination and courage to everyone watching. I believe that facing tough challenges brings out the best in me, and I am excited for this opportunity.
The reason why this fight is so intriguing is because Andrade, a boxer who competed in the 2008 Olympics representing the United States from Rhode Island, is versatile and skilled in many aspects of the sport. Despite his vibrant personality, opponents view him as a challenging opponent with little reward.
Andrade is a tall left-handed boxer who uses his quickness and cleverness to maneuver around the ring 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, as he has faced challenges in finding top opponents throughout his career.
Even though Andrade has performed well and achieved good victories at 154 and 160 pounds against fighters like Vanes Martirosyan, Brian Rose, Willie Nelson, Jack Culcay, and Maciej Sulecki, he has consistently been avoided by top fighters. In addition, Andrade has been stuck in a promotional situation that has caused him frustration, leading him to contemplate walking away from the sport multiple times.
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, on the undercard of the Gervonta Davis-Hector Luis Garcia PPV event. This win opened up the chance to fight Benavidez after it became evident that Alvarez wouldn't be in his plans for 2023.
Andrade stated that people have steered clear of him and avoided confrontation, but if faced with a worthy opponent, he is determined to rise to the challenge and excel. He mentioned feeling the need to end a situation that was not favorable, leading to a separation and moving forward. This decision was necessary for him to reach his current position.
I am now in control of my own destiny. I don't have any commitments to a manager or promoter. I do have a reliable team that I collaborate with, but our agreements are not formalized. Finally, I am free from any constraints. I am grateful to God for this newfound freedom.
Andrade is known for his skill in both offense and defense, but that hasn't stopped him from stating his determination to defeat Benavidez by any means necessary, even if it means engaging in direct exchanges with him.
Benavidez would rather be in a position where he is the one being chased, but he is also ready to take on the role of chasing if necessary, as he did when he defeated Plant eight months ago.
Benavidez expressed his excitement for the upcoming fight, stating that he sees himself as a warrior who is ready to face any challenge. He approaches each fight with the mindset that his opponent will be at their best, and he enjoys the process of figuring out his opponents' tactics. Benavidez is confident in his ability to overcome any opponent in the ring.
"I believe I have superior intelligence in fighting, as well as being quicker and more determined than my opponent."
Andrade expressed confidence that Benavidez will be in peak physical condition for the upcoming weekend. However, he wants to emphasize to critics and oddsmakers that he should not be underestimated, especially since he is not Caleb Plant.
Andrade believes that people are inspired to perform their best when facing tough opponents like Michael Jordan, and he expects Benavidez to do the same when fighting him. He clarifies that he is not similar to Caleb Plant, even though they both box. Andrade is looking forward to showcasing his skills and answering his own questions in the upcoming fight. He feels it is time for him to bring out his best performance, as he hasn't been able to do so recently. He describes the fight between him and Benavidez as a match between two equals, rather than a mismatch between a strong competitor and a weaker one.
Another noteworthy fight scheduled for Saturday features WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo making his return to the ring against Jose Benavidez Jr., who is the older brother of David Benavidez. Charlo has been inactive since June 2021 due to personal issues involving his family and mental health. He aims to shake off the rust when he faces Benavidez Jr. in a 10-round non-title match. Benavidez Jr. secured his first victory in five years in August.
Before making a prediction and expert pick on the main event, it's important to 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 see potential for an upset due to his skills. However, there are concerns about whether he can withstand the relentless attacks of Benavidez, particularly in the later rounds when Benavidez tends to become more powerful.
A lesser-known skill in Benavidez's arsenal is his ability to effectively defend against counter attacks while fighting up close and exchanging punches. While many may anticipate Andrade using his footwork initially, he must ensure he wins enough rounds before Benavidez's strategy changes and he ramps up the pressure during the middle of the fight.
Andrade's strength lies in building up power over time in a fight, rather than relying on one big punch. This makes it challenging to discourage Benavidez from being aggressive. The key to gaining an advantage in the ring against him is to have a style that contrasts with Benavidez's forward-moving approach, as he is often seen as the more active 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 significantly enough to make him deviate from his plan, the most Andrade can aim for is a psychological victory of lasting the full duration of the fight as Benavidez moves closer to a bout with Alvarez, a fight that will probably have a major impact on his professional career.
Prediction: Benavidez will win by unanimous decision after 12 rounds
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