Preview: Demetrius Andrade fights Liam Williams this Saturday night

Particulars: On Saturday, April 17, 2021 from Hard Rock Seminole Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida (DAZN) it’s Demetrius ‘Boo-Boo’ Andrade vs. Liam “The Machine” Williams, for Andrade’s belt.

Background: Demetrius Andrade, 33, is one of those polarizing fighters that folks seem to love or hate. The lovers say he’s the most avoided fighter on the planet (he’s not) and the haters say he’s a right drag - a boring, no-action, stick and move artist.

I’m in the middle; I certainly don’t dislike Andrade who seems like a pleasant guy. I don’t think he’s an “all-time technician” whose mighty reach (not so mighty, 73.5”) and towering height (6’) gives everyone as far north as Canelo as well as the usual suspects at 160 - GGG, Charlo, Derevyanchenko, Murata, Munguia - sleepless nights. It’s not that I think Boo-Boo isn’t avoided. To a degree, he is. It’s just that those avoiding him might do much better than they think, because at 33 Andrade is not getting younger or better. Those avoiding him might not win, but they’d get paid and have a chance. Andrade is no knockout machine.

Andrade is an awkward boxer. He carries some pop and best of all comes in almost sideways which I’ve always loved in a boxer. In fact, I don’t know why more don’t adopt this stance. Andrade is a weird mixture of things - a defensively sound fighter who comes forward (not totally unlike Winky Wright) and looks for openings. But then - he also pot shots. Above all, he throws a lot of shots per round (80-90+ on occasion) yet is certainly not a phenomenal rhythm fighter with long flowing combinations. But he’s very good at what he does. And he’s left-handed to boot. Oh – his competition has been infinitely better than Williams.’

Liam Williams, from Church Village, Wales, is hardnosed, serious, and all-business.

I do like William’s left hook to the head. I do like his commitment to body punching with both hands. His right is very straight and pretty quick. He has good balance. He does throw combinations but isn’t quick enough to do so from the outside – he’ll have to get through Andrade’s reach to land combinations.

William was the better man in both ‘defeats’ to the over-hyped Liam Smith. Smith should have been disqualified immediately for his deliberate head butt in the first fight in my opinion. Williams corner suddenly retiring him for a bad but not horrendous cut is extraordinarily mysterious. Williams was miles ahead on my card. Likewise the rematch – another jobbing in a fight Williams clearly won. Gamblers undoubtedly won big. Poor Williams should be undefeated.

Folks, this is by no means a bad fight, but it’s the tip of an iceberg. Middleweight has some real talent - why not a classic tourney - someone call Don King Productions! As Andrade says, everyone from 160-168, before turning out the light at night, looks at a Canelo poster and prays “pick me.” Meanwhile, this entire glamourous division - home to Ray Robinson no less, languishes.

Fighter’s Grades: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

Demetrius Andrade: B B B B C B B (Average of all) B- (2.9)

Liam Williams i: B- B B- C+ B- B B- (Average of all) C+ (2.8)

Reality Check: I’m a strong 5’11” and only mention this as Andrade looks way taller than 6’ and his arms look much longer than 73.” For sure he has solid height/reach advantages over Liam, if not massive.

Andrade needs to make a statement. In this case - that sickening cliché is true. Why? Because Andrade and Co. yap all the time about him being avoided. More avoided than, well, the plague! If Andrade wins, but merely looks comfortable and awkward doing so, it’s not good enough. And the older he gets, the less credible that claim. Damn, he’s already 33. Is he going to claim at 34, 35, and 36 that people are hiding from him?

Here’s hoping this classic East Coast guy from Providence comes out guns blazing and goes for the KO. If he’s somehow out-boxed and wins by undeserved decision – yikes…Williams is capable… God, let’s hope his corner doesn’t pull him if he gets scratched up.

After the fight, I’m writing The Ring, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Don King and Dr. Fauci and asking them to insist on a Middleweight Tournament. There’s a boatload of really exciting and talented fighters at 160 - and Andrade is certainly one. Let’s find out who The Man really is. With respect to Liam and Boo-Boo, this ain’t the way to find a middleweight King.

Fight and Prediction: I’m thinking Andrade, a smart dude, knows Father Time is right behind him, and brings a B or B+ game, and chops up Williams enough to cause his corner to end the evening for the Welshman perhaps before they should. Andrade says he’s Mr. Avoided. Show us, by finishing or dominating, a capable opponent.

Demetrius Andrade TKO 11 Liam Williams.