BN Preview: Andrade and Benavidez find each other at a time when they probably need each other

By Matt Christie

TO SAY that an unbeaten fighter, who’s about to field within the headline bout of a pay per view occasion, may also be coming into Last Chance Saloon sounds ridiculous on the floor. But ought to 35-year-old Demetrius Andrade, 32-0 (19), find himself convincingly crushed by David Benavidez on Saturday night time (November 25), it’s definitely tough to foresee a state of affairs the place he progresses past this stage.

Though this is a superb matchup inside Las Vegas’ Michelob Ultra Arena, and an essential one within the super-middleweight combine, that viewers within the USA should pay to observe (on Showtime PPV), illustrates the peculiar enterprise mannequin that has seen boxing turn into more and more marginalised in recent times. How nicely it performs is probably going a moot level to the broadcaster, on condition that they are pulling out of the game at the tip of the 12 months. But for the fighters – significantly the winner of Benavidez-Andrade who will turn into the main challenger for world champion Canelo Alvarez – publicity and consideration are essential elements in figuring out their pulling energy transferring ahead.

The 26-year-old Benavidez, 27-0 (23), is the two/7 favorite however no certain factor to win. Though he’s a seasoned super-middle for his age and has the superior wins on his file, he’s not but what we’d historically name a field workplace fighter. His breakout win, a ninth knockout of Anthony Dirrell in 2019, has solely been surpassed by his most up-to-date success, a fairly spectacular 12-round factors win over Caleb Plant in March. Other victories, over the likes of (a light) David Lemieux (rsf 3), Ronald Ellis (rsf 11), Ronald Gavril (sd 12 and ud 12) and Roamer Alexis Angulo (rtd 10), spotlight each his promise and present standing. Las Vegas-based Benavidez – whose profession has been blotted by moments of ill-discipline – places his punches along with finesse and energy, his judgement of distance is impeccable for a 6ft 2ins long-limbed man, however in southpaw Andrade he meets arguably his hardest check but.

The Rhode Island man, a world class operator since 2013, has received belts at 154 and 160 however discovered that such trophies – significantly within the trendy, fractured boxing panorama – don’t assure alternatives at the very highest stage. In reality, whereas profitable and defending WBO and WBA straps, he’s solely confronted a handful of opponents who may legitimately declare to be extensively considered high 10 boxers. As such, although he’s for a lengthy time demanded a likelihood towards the leaders, he’s largely been ignored. If he would possibly be Benavidez’s most tough project, Benavidez is undisputedly his.

Though Andrade – who has fought solely as soon as at 168 – could pull a Winky Wright and craft the most effective of himself in his twilight years after spending most of his profession on the fringes, all out there proof factors to Benavidez being too large and robust for him. However, Andrade may bang when within the temper at the decrease weights and is each awkward and inventive in his method. The odds on him profitable on factors, 4/1, are price contemplating however we go for the playing cards to favour Benavidez at the tip of 12.

David’s older brother Jose Benavidez Jnr, 28-2-1 (19), now campaigns at middleweight after spending a lot of his profession at 147. He begins as a 6/1 underdog towards Texan Jermall Charlo, 32-0 (22), in a 10-rounder.

Charlo isn’t selecting a straightforward choice following 29 tough months out of the ring, nevertheless. Benavidez was as soon as considered one of many main prospects within the sport and at 31 stays a top-drawer competitor. But the bounce to middleweight could show an excessive amount of and Charlo, a chic boxer at his greatest, just too good. The former WBC belt-holder claims to have his psychological well being underneath management and, in that case, he can win a huge choice.

There are two ‘world’ title fights on the cardboard.

At super-featherweight, the Dominican Republic’s Hector Luis Garcia, a 16-1 (10) southpaw who was stopped in 9 by Gervonta Davis up at light-weight in January, returns to 130 to defend his WBA strap towards Lamont Roach, 23-1-1 (9). Though neither are ranked on the earth high 10, this one needs to be aggressive. Washington-born Roach, inactive since June final 12 months, is tough to beat however we edge in direction of Garcia, offering gaining and dropping pounds hasn’t affected him at the age of 32.

Meanwhile, at super-lightweight, the seventh-ranked Subriel Matias, 19-1 (19), defends his IBF belt towards Uzbek southpaw, Shohjahon Ergashev, 23-0 (20). This seems to be set to be explosive and may come right down to a battle of the whiskers. Matias’ energy is examined at a larger stage, nevertheless, and he seems to be a first rate wager to finish this one within the second half.

The Verdict: An wonderful scrap atop a strong invoice however this PPV seems to be unlikely to attract a big viewers.