Author: Sean Close
While sitting ringside between matches at a casino in Connecticut, I overheard Demetrius Andrade discussing his return to boxing after a long break and wondered when the talented Rhode Islander would finally step into the spotlight. A few years later, I found myself ringside at Boston’s TD Center, eagerly anticipating Andrade’s match against Billy Joe Saunders. Unfortunately, Saunders withdrew from the fight, and Andrade faced the lesser-known Walter Kautundokwa instead.
Now, more than five years later, Andrade is set to face super middleweight David Benavidez in the main event of Showtime’s final pay-per-view card. This bout presents a significant opportunity for Andrade to showcase his skills and potentially mark the beginning of a new era in boxing. However, the outcome is not guaranteed, as Benavidez is a formidable opponent who deserves credit for taking on this challenge. This matchup is a compelling one, with both fighters having a lot at stake this Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas.
The winner of this matchup could potentially challenge Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight championship, making it a high-stakes encounter. Regardless of the outcome, Andrade will finally have his moment in the spotlight, and what he does with it will be up to him and Benavidez. He has been waiting for this opportunity for years, and now he must prove himself in the ring.
