David Benavidez vs Demetrius Andrade - Someone's 0 has to go

Particulars: On Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas (Showtime) it’s David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez, vs. Demetrius “Boo-Boo” Andrade, Super Middleweights.

Background: What a treat, post Turkey Day. A fight that, unless we get a terrible decision (highly plausible) or a draw - should toss these combatants into one of two piles. The loser goes into a pile called REBUILD and the Winner into WITH A BULLET. Thing is, at 35, if Andrade, the dude with the weird style, the guy that starts strong but sometimes fades (or lets up for unknown reasons) may not have time to re-build.

Sure, Benavidez, now living in Seattle, could rebuild if he loses, but his aura will be shattered. In fact, his aura has been downgraded already.

I don’t really buy that Boo-Boo Andrade’s tricky style and toolbox have kept him from a fruitful career. BTW; friends of mine - shout out to Champ Life Boxing – say his style is ugly, not tricky. It’s unique; give Demetrius that. Andrade, a pretty chill, nice guy…well that’s the problem! He’s a chill, nice guy. Why didn’t he demand of his team over the years – find me a defining fight or I’m gone?

Yep. Andrade’s career is one of those huge ?? question marks in boxing. It makes no sense.

Benavidez, ages 18-21, with his huge size, power, skills, and brains, seemed like a sure thing. I thought he was a blue-chip prospect. Shrinks say there are no accidents. How the hell did he derail his career with cocaine in his system and later, on the scale, with too much fat on his stomach?

An accident? Or a guy who is less interested in boxing than I thought? 

Benavidez was once a very young guy with a future so bright he needed sunglasses. Time caught up and at 26 and – clearly much too big for Super Middle, the dude is no longer so special. Confession – I’m a big fan. But he really needs a KO statement here to regain momentum. Even that KO alone, won’t be enough to restore his ‘rep.’ He’ll need to move up and keep adding KOs to his ledger.

Bottom line. Boxing needs this fight to separate these two. We need to move on in our stalled sport (big time) and this fight will help clear the air.

Fighters Grades: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

David Benavidez: B A B C- B B+ B Total: B (3.0)

Demetrius Andrade: B B-B+ C- C- B B Total: C+ (2.6)

Reality Check: A lot of whispers going around – including from great sources, that Andrade is suddenly past the sell-by date. Snide stuff from an ex-Pug: “A few years ago I’d take my friend Demetrius, but at 35, I’m not so sure.” The conventional wisdom is that Andrade starts quickly but then fades. To me, it looks like lack of interest rather than fatigue. It seems he’s thinking, “I’ve done enough, let’s be safe and go home with the ‘W.’”

Trouble is, Benavidez comes on in the later rounds. His starts aren’t enough to make people forget Secretariat, but he finishes really strong.

Fans – Benavidez is 6’2” while Andrade is listed at 6’1.” Both of their listed reaches are poor, especially in this era of giant arms. I have longer arms (wish I didn’t) than both. Are they great physical specimens? Meh…maybe. Real poor reach – both of them.

Andrade’s cool technique is to move laterally stop and fire before an opponent chasing him can get set.

Benavidez of course, is an excellent combination puncher and good inside fighter. Here the great Boxing Gems channel (all rights reserved) breaks it down for y’all. 

Fight and Prediction: This is one fight I hope Editor John Raspanti, a boxing authority, will chime in on. I’m honor-bound to predict, so I say, Benavidez has some worrying moments 1-4, settles down in the middle rounds, and takes it to a fading Andrade in the late rounds, hitting him like crazy. I see it as a solid UD ala vs. Caleb Plant - rather than a TKO. Either way – I don’t think Benavidez emerges as the terrifying monster I once thought – and still hope – he really is. 

John Raspanti – How do you see this? I give the edge to Benavidez as well. Andrade is still something of a mystery - though I do believe his awkwardness could cause Benavidez some problems.  JR

David Benavidez solid, punishing, UD win 12, Demetrius Andrade.