By Jake Donovan - Demetrius Andrade survived his toughest test in the ring to date as a pro with a ten round unanimous decision over veteran Grady Brewer on Friday evening at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana.
What remains a far greater challenge for the former star member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic boxing team is winning over the viewing public.
Andrade promised before the fight to win the fight with the jab, and employed that game plan from the opening bell. A double jab knocked Brewer slightly off balance early in the fight, though he was quickly able to gain his composure. Andrade rarely deviated from the script save for the occasional right jab-left hand combination and also hooking to the body.
As Brewer attempted to pick up the aggression, Andrade adapted well and had an answer for anything thrown at him, though with a style not always to the crowd’s liking. Clinching and clumsy infighting created awkward moments as both fighters spent time on the canvas due to shoves and slips.
The boo birds began to surface in the fourth round, as Andrade employed more lateral moment into his repertoire after having remained in the pocket for most of the early going. Brewer tried to do something about it, but his efforts to pick up the aggression only left him open for counter opportunities that Andrade greatly exploited.
Andrade grew more confident – in the form of ****iness – as the fight progressed, but never to the point where he was willing to take any risks whatsoever. Rather than mix up his attack, Andrade was content to stick and move, instead wasting more energy on shimmying and showboating rather than actual fighting.
Whenever infighting occurred, both fighters seemed to find a way to bring it to a screeching halt. Excessive holding led to delays in the action as well as two separate warnings to Andrade for holding and hitting behind the head.
Brewer shared some of the blame for the fight going nowhere. The Contender Season Two champion had his opportunities to make it a dogfight, but was way too content with clinching whenever offense alone wasn’t getting the job done. [Click Here To Read More]
What remains a far greater challenge for the former star member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic boxing team is winning over the viewing public.
Andrade promised before the fight to win the fight with the jab, and employed that game plan from the opening bell. A double jab knocked Brewer slightly off balance early in the fight, though he was quickly able to gain his composure. Andrade rarely deviated from the script save for the occasional right jab-left hand combination and also hooking to the body.
As Brewer attempted to pick up the aggression, Andrade adapted well and had an answer for anything thrown at him, though with a style not always to the crowd’s liking. Clinching and clumsy infighting created awkward moments as both fighters spent time on the canvas due to shoves and slips.
The boo birds began to surface in the fourth round, as Andrade employed more lateral moment into his repertoire after having remained in the pocket for most of the early going. Brewer tried to do something about it, but his efforts to pick up the aggression only left him open for counter opportunities that Andrade greatly exploited.
Andrade grew more confident – in the form of ****iness – as the fight progressed, but never to the point where he was willing to take any risks whatsoever. Rather than mix up his attack, Andrade was content to stick and move, instead wasting more energy on shimmying and showboating rather than actual fighting.
Whenever infighting occurred, both fighters seemed to find a way to bring it to a screeching halt. Excessive holding led to delays in the action as well as two separate warnings to Andrade for holding and hitting behind the head.
Brewer shared some of the blame for the fight going nowhere. The Contender Season Two champion had his opportunities to make it a dogfight, but was way too content with clinching whenever offense alone wasn’t getting the job done. [Click Here To Read More]
Comment