By Jake Donovan
Demetrius Andrade knew from the moment he turned pro that the fights he desired wouldn’t necessarily align with the fights he’d land.
The unbeaten southpaw from Providence, Rhode Island is in a great place in his career these days. With a super welterweight belt already in tow, Andrade (21-0, 14KOs) suddenly finds his name constantly in the news.
Back-to-back impressive showings on HBO—a title win over Vanes Martirosyan last November and a 7th round knockout of Brian Rose in June—officially made the rangy boxer one to watch in and around the 154 lb. division. His name must mean enough to top fighters such as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who’ve recently suggested Andrade as a possible opponent for his ring return later this fall.
There’s only one problem—it’s the first that Andrade and his team are hearing of such news.
"I was totally surprised when I saw (an) article mentioning Demetrius as a possible opponent," said Paul Andrade, Demetrius’ father and trainer. “I saw (Alvarez’ promoter) Oscar De La Hoya at the Shawn Porter–Kell Brook weigh-in and he shook my hand. I asked him about a fight with Canelo and Demetrius. He said he we would have to wait in line for about two years.”
Few believed Andrade to be in the running for such a fight, but his name has been floated as a candidate for the assignment. Joshua Clottey is believed to be the frontrunner, with James Kirkland’s name also mentioned. Actual discussion has taken place between Alvarez’ camp and handlers for Clottey and Kirkland.
“Three weeks later, I read that we are on the short list,” the elder Andrade continued. “I never realized that two years went by that quick. Judging by the list, I feel the only reason we are included is that it makes Canelo look good. Three weeks earlier, Oscar said that they had no intention to fight us. Undefeated world champions do not go on a short list.”
“I understand that they have negotiated with both Clottey and Kirkland but they have not negotiated with us. That proves that he does not want to fight us right now. I would appreciate if does not mention our name unless he is ready to say that I will fight Andrade.”
But now that his name is out there, Andrade and his team would openly embrace such a challenge.
"It's time for him to put up or shut up,” papa Andrade insists. “y mentioning us, Oscar is trying to develop Canelo's next opponent but it seems like they are going back to their old ways by fighting blown up welterweights. I have a lot of respect for Clottey and Kirkland but Oscar can't just throw our name in the mix so Canelo can look good.
“Demetrius is an undefeated titleholder. Canelo claims he wants to fight the best, well we are undefeated and the best junior middleweight in the world. The fans aren't stupid. I wish Oscar should let them pick Canelo's next opponent. Unfortunately Oscar isn't stupid because he knows Demetrius would be too much for Canelo and our fans would agree with us.”
A more likely course of action—though still in proposal stage—is for Andrade to move up in weight and challenge for a vacant middleweight title. A petition to the WBO—the sanctioning body whom recognizes Andrade as its 154 lb. champ—has been filed by co-promoter Artie Pellulo to allow the current titlist to move into position to challenge unbeaten Matt Korobov for the middleweight belt recently vacated by Peter Quillin.
The WBO is expected to make a decision this week on whom Korobov will fight for the title. Andrade and unbeaten middleweight contender Billy Joe Saunders—the next highest rated contender behind Korobov—are the top two considerations.
Andrade, Korobov and Saunders all fought in the 2008 Beijing Olympics; Andrade represented the United States as a welterweight, as did Saunders for Great Britain’s squad, while Korobov was the middleweight representative for Russia.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
