Never say never but it seemed like Demetrius Andrade would never get an opportunity to show what he’s got. To a certain extent, the Rhode Island native has proven that he’s one of the game’s best, but that’s by using strictly the eye test.
The credentials have always been there. A former Olympian, two title runs in separate weight classes, and an undefeated record. They all scream that Andrade is an elite fighter. However, when digging deep into his resume, you’ll notice a lack of big-name opponents.
For whatever reason, the former two-division kingpin has been deprived of the opportunity to share the ring with a great fighter, despite perpetually calling out the likes of Jermall Charlo, Canelo Alvarez, Jaime Munguia, and any elite-level boxer that was roaming in or around his weight class.
Yet, having watched Andrade from a distance, David Benavidez threw his fellow former champion a lifeline. Officially, after crossing their t’s and dotting their i’s in negotiations, the two will attempt to take each other’s heads off on November 25th.
Demetrius Andrade? The bright lights of a main event on pay-per-view against an opponent that, if he defeats, no one can criticize? It’s what he’s always dreamed of.
Things haven’t gone exactly the way Andrade envisioned it when he first came onto the scene. At the age of 35, he concocted ideas of himself on the pound-for-pound list along with Hall of Fame worthy credentials. So far, that simply isn’t the case. Still, that doesn’t mean the extravagant visions he had for himself will never come to fruition. He’s a bit older now and while some may consider him long in the tooth and over the hill, Andrade believes he’s seasoned and ready for limelight that Benavidez will provide for him.
“Now is the time for me,” Andrade told FightHype.com recently. “I think he’s gonna bring out the best Andrade with his style.”