Demetrius Andrade and David Benavidez in a press conference. The two of the best super middleweights in the world are set to clash on November 25, 2023 in Providence, Rhode Island. ESTHER LIN/SHOWTIME.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — There has been stigma surrounding talented southpaw, Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, as for whatever reason the big fights always seemed to elude him. On November 25th, that stigma comes to an end, when the pride of Providence, Rhode Island faces one of boxing’s most avoided fighters, the WBC interim super middleweight champion, David Benavidez. Benavidez-Andrade sadly will play host to what will be one of Showtime’s last boxing events, as the network revealed their plans to back out of the sport after 2023. The Benavidez-Andrade card will also feature some other exceptional matchups, including, David Benavidez’s brother, Jose Benavidez taking on come backing Jermall Charlo, who hasn’t fought since June of 2021. Top junior welterweights, Subriel Matias and Shohjahon Ergashev will clash, as well as Hector Luis Garcia and Lamont Roach.
Andrade talks to Zenger News about facing the “Mean Green Walking Machine!”
Zenger: The discipline of a fighter, your fight with David Benavidez is 2 days after Thanksgiving. Does the holidays change or impede anything for you?
Andrade: It’s business, its livelihood, its legacy, it’s bigger than a turkey on a table. I can have turkey on the table on any given day I choose.
Zenger: You feel like this fight against David Benavidez is more significant than Canelo and Charlo’s fight. What was your thought process when this fight was presented to you?
Andrade: Of course, there are two sides of the story, but I was the one that came over here to fight these guys. These guys’ name is who I mentioned. A lot of them said, “No, no, no.” David had no choice, and I had no choice, it was pretty much like, “Okay, let’s go. Let’s make this fight happen.”
Zenger: This is only your second fight at 168 pounds. Do you feel comfortable and acclimated to the weight to take on such a tough task?
Andrade: I’m 6’1, he’s 6’1- 6’2, do the math, it’s not that big of a difference. He’s lanky, he’s bigger body size or whatever, but I have fought taller guys in my weight class before. As long as he makes the weight, and we weigh the same thing, that’s all that matters. Also, at this point in my career, there are no other fights for me to fight. Doing my process, I was like, maybe get two fights at 68, [Caleb] Plant would be a good fight, this person would be a good fight, just to get into it, then whoever else, David if he was still around. It didn’t pan out that way. I had the one fight against [Demond] Nicholson, which I learned a lot from that fight. I needed to put on a little more weight, do a little more here and there. There are still a few things I need to work on. That being said, this fight needed to happen, because I’m not going to be fighting these guys at 40-years-old. The time has to be now, and I feel like I’m really where I need to be.
Zenger: We here the cliché line from fighters, he’s never seen a fighter like me. That can hold some weight when looking at Benavidez’s resume. You are a taller southpaw, with great boxing ability. Do you feel like that is something that will present itself on fight night?
Andrade: Yeah, for sure. Of course, ten times over. He’s going to get the best Andrade, his ability, and his mind, against the “Mean Green Walking Machine,” (laughing).
Zenger: “The Mexican Monster,” “The Most Avoided Man in Boxing,” and the obvious, “Boogeyman” title are some of the monikers put on David Benavidez. Is that something you think about, and does it impact your approach at all?
Andrade: He’s human. He is just like me, but skills, ability, IQ, experience. For him, youth, strength, big, finesse, the storm. We got some fight.
Zenger: What type of fight are you expecting, a fast paced fight that most feel would benefit David, or a more measured pace where most feel you would benefit from?
Andrade: I think we will have a clash of both. It’s going to be fireworks though. It’s going to be a fight. Both men are going to get hit, you feel me. I’m going to get hit and I’m going to be prepared, but he’s also going to get hit, and he better be prepared too.
Zenger: You said that your power would surprise David. In your mind, is that the dark horse in this fight?
Andrade: Oh yeah, I think so. I think he is going to be surprised at how long I can sustain my power for. I think he is going to be real surprised. They are studying me. I used to throw a lot of fast punches, but as I got older and realized, can’t be too fast, started working on strength and condition, and everybody always went down. I put them down, multiple times if that’s the case. From there I do what people love to see or should want to see, and that’s the skills of a boxer, do his thing.
Zenger: The significance of this fight has heightened with Showtime announcing that they will no longer be a part of boxing after this year. Benavidez-Andrade will be one of the final PPV’s under the network. I’m sure it’s bittersweet for you.
Andrade: I have to help continue to help a network do something that they have been doing for years. That’s what they do and that’s the business part behind the network. It’s going to be sad, but my focus is this fight. If it’s the last Showtime fight or even one of the last ones, I want to make it the best one.
Zenger: What separates Demetrius Andrade from David Benavidez on November 25th?
Andrade: That’s why they need to purchase this PPV, that’s why they need to be in the building, because we’re all going to find out. That being said, I hope David has a clean training camp with no injuries for him or myself, so we can make this fight happen, and may the bet man win.
(Additional reporting provided by Joseph Hammond)
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