LAS VEGAS — The bout between David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade will take place on November 25 at the Las Vegas’ Michelob Ultra Arena.
Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) from Rhode Island, U.S. is a former two-time world champion. His fighting approach hasn’t always resulted in thrilling bouts, and he’s frequently declared himself to be among the sport’s most avoidable fighters after repeatedly attempting to provoke Alvarez into a duel only to be laughed off.
“I’m prepared to get hit, he’s prepared to get hit, and there’s going to be a lot of punches thrown,” said Andrade in media reports.
“I’m 32-0 for a reason, and on November 25th, you’re going to see the best Andrade. Just this fight alone changes the dynamic of things. All that stuff out there, that was answered by me taking this fight and by him taking this fight,” he added.
“It’s the two best guys fighting at this weight class. Yeah, of course, he’s a two-time world champion at 168,” he continued.
Two-time WBC super middleweight champion Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) from Arizona, U.S lost his title both times he was the champion. Initially, in a drug test conducted by VADA in August 2018, Benavidez tested positive for cocaine. Benavidez was stripped of the title for the second time after he gained it back due to weight issues prior to his August 2020 bout against Roamer Alexis Angulo.
Benavidez hopes to use his victory over 35-year-old Andrade, the former two-division world champion, as an entry point to the fight he has long desired against Canelo Alvarez.
It would be interesting to watch if Andrade can deflect Benavidez’s blows and land a punch that impresses the judges. Andrade has an extremely limited possibility of facing Canelo because his chances of doing so are about the same as Benavidez’s.
The undercard will also feature Jermall Charlo. Charlo, the WBC middleweight champion, will make his comeback on the undercard when he challenges Jose Benavidez Jr.
Charlo, who hasn’t competed since June 2021, he will try to maintain his winning streak against Benavidez Jr., a formidable opponent who defeated him via TKO in August to get his first victory since June 2018
