Demetrius Andrade might be the most patient man in the world. He certainly is in boxing circles.

As an amateur, Andrade was about as good as it gets. The list of names he knocked off in the unpaid ranks includes Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman, and Daniel Jacobs. Once he turned pro, much was expected of him.

Ultimately, Andrade has done a lot. He’s still an undefeated fighter 15 years later and a former two-division champ. But, at the age of 35, he was never able to take on a big name. Perpetual callouts in the direction of Canelo Alvarez, Jermall Charlo, Jaime Munguia, and Gennadiy Golovkin led to eye rolls and shrugged shoulders.

Although his hopes were fading, Andrade was thrown a lifeline of sorts when David Benavidez agreed to fight him. For the first time in his decade plus long career, oddsmakers believe he’s in over his head.

In the case of Benavidez, Andrade faces an opponent with an endless engine, a unique offensive skill set, and more importantly, someone significantly younger.

That youth is normally a plus. It’s the classic case of the young lion vs. the new one. The energy he brings to the table pushed him over the winning edge in a recent showdown against Caleb Plant, it also did the same against everyone else - along with his talent.

Admittedly, Andrade knows that Benavidez is a threat to his undefeated record and championship aspirations in a new weight class. But, with a showdown against Canelo Alvarez ostensibly on the table, the former Olympian is working his butt off behind the scenes.

There’s a narrative forming around their super middleweight showdown. As the older star on the showcase, many are of the belief that Benavidez is using Andrade to catapult his career to another level. A loss, however, could push him towards the bottom of the barrel.

Andrade has a different way of thinking. Youth might be on his opponent's side in the ring, but once Benavidez comes up short, his age will be a benefit but for another reason.

“When I beat him, he’s still young enough where he can endure the loss,” said Andrade on an episode of All Access. “It’s ok. You’re still young enough to where you can continue to beat everybody else.”