ITS OFFICIAL !!! WHO YA GOT ??
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome once again for your ultimate source for all things boxing. We're thrilled to share some exciting news with our passionate followers. It's official – David Benavidez is set to defend his WBC interim super middleweight title against Demetrius Andrade on November 25th in a highly-anticipated Showtime pay-per-view showdown.
David Benavidez, known for his victories against B and C-level opponents, is now facing a significant challenge in Demetrius Andrade. Andrade is no stranger to the elite tier of boxing, and this match poses an intriguing question: Has Benavidez's career been strategically navigated by his promoters to enhance his reputation beyond his actual abilities? It's a distinct possibility.
Benavidez, at 26 years old, enters this bout as the bookmakers' favorite, largely due to his considerable size and youth advantage over the 35-year-old Andrade, who initially launched his career in the 154-lb division. However, Andrade's extensive experience in the 168-lb weight class gives him a legitimate shot at defeating Benavidez.
Ranked #1 by the WBA, #2 by the WBO, and #5 by the WBC, Andrade has been chasing marquee fights against the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Jermall Charlo for 15 years. Finally, he's getting the compelling showdown he deserves. This fight between Benavidez and the former two-division world champion Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) could very well determine the next challenger for the four-belt 168-lb champion, Canelo Alvarez, in 2024, provided Canelo is willing to face the winner.
What makes Andrade stand out is his readiness to stay within the weight limits, unlike Benavidez, who tends to bulk up significantly on fight night. While Canelo has shown no hesitation in taking on light heavyweights, he may not be keen on stepping into the ring with a cruiserweight-sized opponent, which Benavidez essentially becomes after rehydrating for his fights at 168.
Benavidez's recent performance against Caleb Plant suggested that he might not be the undisputed top dog in the 168-lb division. It was a close call, and if not for Plant's late-game fatigue, Benavidez might have suffered his first loss. The upcoming Benavidez-Andrade battle is scheduled to take place at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, with the event's pricing details yet to be confirmed. However, it's safe to assume it will fall within the $70+ range.
Demetrius Andrade and his team have honed in on a potential vulnerability in Benavidez's recent performances – a noticeable drop in power and energy. Andrade is eyeing his opponent like a cunning predator assessing a weakened member of the herd, ready to pounce and tear him apart come November 25th.
This fight may very well hinge on how well Benavidez can make weight. It's evident that he's outgrown the super middleweight division and needs to move up to 175 pounds sooner rather than later. His last struggle to make weight for the Caleb Plant fight raised concerns, and Andrade is poised to exploit any weaknesses resulting from his weight loss.
It's clear that Benavidez has been dominant against a roster of fighters like Plant, David Lemieux, Kyrone Davis, and Ronald Ellis. Still, Andrade presents a higher level of competition, which could expose whether Benavidez truly has the mettle to rule the 168-lb division or if his undefeated record has been built on relatively weaker opposition.
Finesse Boxing
