By Mark Vester

2008 US Olympian Demetrius Andrade, regarded by some experts as the best prospect of the team, is planning to turn pro and signed multi-year promotional deal where the young fighter will be co-promoted by Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing. Andrade, at 6'1, will turn pro in the junior middleweight ranks. Andrade's debut may come on the October 23 Versus card. According to Dan Rafael, both kicked for Andrade's undisclosed six-figure signing bonus.

Andrade is the second big name from the 08 team to turn pro in the last two-weeks. Last week it was announced that manager Shelly Finkel signed bronze medal winner  Deontay Wilder. Wilder will turn pro at heavyweight and is expected to sign with Golden Boy Promotions.

DeGuardia told Rafael that Andrade is one of the best prospect to come out of the amateurs in years.

"He is one of the best prospects to come out of the amateurs in years," DeGuardia said. "He was highly sought after and worth a lot of money. To me it's like getting Oscar De La Hoya or Roy Jones when they came out. Demetrius doesn't have the gold, but he was the hottest thing in the amateurs and was the world [amateur] champion. But for some cockeyed judging he would be the gold medalist. In three or four years, I see him fighting for the championship of the world."

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