Demetrius Andrade Might Be the Underdog Against David Benavidez but That Only Makes Him More Dangerous

Demetrius Andrade has waited for such a fight for over a decade. The most avoided boxer finally gets his shot at fame and legacy as he clashes with David Benavidez on November 25. While the buzz suggests a win for ‘Mexican Monster’, he looks set to turn the tide. The stage is set, and he wants to shock the world. Will the American boxer come out all guns blazing and shatter Benavidez’s dream of meeting Canelo Alvarez?

After Benavidez edged past Caleb Plant to retain his WBC interim super middleweight strap, the boxing world wanted a showdown with Canelo Alvarez. But the Mexican champion put away Benavidez’s demands, as he had done for years. To carve out his own lane, Benavidez chose Andrade to strengthen his case for a Canelo bout. While a fight with David Morrell would have made sense, he opted for Andrade to replicate a similar success. However, Andrade is not shaped out of the same mold as Caleb Plant.

Sorry David, Demetrius Andrade is nothing like Caleb Plant

At 32-0, Demetrius Andrade is a new entrant at 168, and his debut performance against Demond Nicholson didn’t generate confidence. Yet he knows how to scrape wins. Meanwhile, Benavidez’s last win against Caleb Plant earned him accolades. But he was slow on his feet, and Plant made himself a standing target after the latter ran out of gas. This resulted in Benavidez’s volume punch onslaught.

“I think it’s going to be very similar,” Benavidez told Boxing News when enlisting similarities between Andrade and Plant. “He moves around a lot, and he’ll probably be trying to clinch a lot too.” Despite his exuding confidence, it will be hard for the Mexican boxer to execute the same game plan.

Andrade’s boxing prowess sets him apart from Plant, and he is a boxer with more fights under his belt. Further, the 35-year-old’s athleticism and boxing ring IQ also tilt the scale in his favor. “I think he’s dangerous enough to where he could cause some trouble and cause some hiccups,” Paulie Malignaggi points out about Andrade.

Benavidez couldn’t have it wrong. Apart from Plant and Andrade being mobile fighters, neither share similar traits. Benavidez is overconfident and feels he has it all figured out. On the other hand, Andrade is a man who has been waiting for a grand fight for years. He will make sure he makes the most of it.

David Benavidez’s shortsightedness and the burning desire of Demetrius Andrade

Benavidez has towered over his opponent and cornered them with his hard, voluminous punching. But this Saturday, size might not play a factor. Compared to Benavidez’s 6’2″, Andrade has a similar height and reach. Despite Benavidez being a heavier fighter, Andrade will look to use his light shape and move around, unlike his previous opponents.

In addition, Andrade’s southpaw stance might cause some trouble for Benavidez. What’s more? ‘Boo Boo’ had always wanted a shot like this. He is focused, as this might be his last chance to showcase his skills, class, and worth. Moreover, he might be the only one focused on Saturday’s bout.

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“Everybody I’ve been in the ring with always hits the floor, always hit the canvas,” Andrade told Showtime All Access. “I’m the type of person like, once I put my mind to it, I’m going to become whatever it is I want to become.” And he is desperate for a win against Benavidez. He is desperate to insert himself into that Canelo Alvarez fight conversation. For that, he has to break down Benavidez.

Demetrius Andrade’s art of breaking down people

“I know how to break down people. I know I can fight,” Andrade declares vehemently. The Providence native claims he has ‘the sauce’. “I have the sauce. Like I said, that signature stuff, man. I can break him down. Get him frustrated. Do a lot of things, and hit him.”

That’s precisely what Andrade will do—frustrate Benavidez. While some might point out how Andrade is still new to the super middleweight, perceiving him as a bridge fight to chase Alvarez is the worst mistake Benavidez could commit. Indeed, at 26, Benavidez is younger, but he lacks the fire that Andrade packs. That might well turn out to be the difference between the victor and the man lying on the canvas.

What do you make of the upcoming fight between David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade? Who do you believe will get his hand raised? Let us know in the comments below.

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