Andrade defends against Sulecki in hometown Providence
Demetrius Andrade will defend his WBO World Middleweight title against Maciej Sulecki on Saturday, June 29 at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Rhode Island, Providence live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK Matchroom Boxing announced on Sunday.
Andrade (27-0 17 KOs) defends his title for the second time and first in his hometown after stopping Artur Akavovlast back in New York last January. He became a two-weight World titlist last October in Boston, landing the vacant belt in a majority decision over Walter Kautondokwa.
“Sulecki is one of the top guys in the division, and his only loss is to Danny, in a fight where he gave Danny problems,” Andrae said to the media. “You can’t overlook this guy. He has earned this shot, and I am expecting him to bring it. That being said, I am the best 160-pounder in the sport, and I plan on showing every single aspect of that come June 29. This is my time.”
Sulecki (28-1 11 KOs) is coming in off a victory over Gabriel Rosado in Philadelphia in March, winning the eliminator against the hometown Rosado for a shot at Andrade. “The Pole”, currently ranked number three with the WBO, fights for a World title for the first time in his career but has taken on championship caliber competition when he faced Daniel Jacobs in April 2018 for the only loss in his career.
“Last Thursday I turned 30, so to fight for a World title is the best birthday gift for me,” said Sulecki in the press release. “I am in the most important moment of my career. I believe I can win and all the best is ahead of me. I think next five years can be the best in my boxing life so I must grasp it.”
“Demetrius is in the most golden position ever,” said promoter Eddie Hearn in the press release. “You are the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle for the undisputed title. So just keep winning. Sulecki will give him a chance to look good, in my opinion. He needs a fighter that comes to fight.
“Hopefully, we can fill up the Dunkin Donuts Center and make it a big deal, and he can start getting some credibility and profile and say, ‘I’m not just a B-side. I’m the link to the undisputed title.’”
Marquis Johns is a unknown humorist and avid boxing fan. His love for the sweet science goes back to when matches were 15 rounds and has been covering fights since closed-circuit pay-per-views. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth is not only a quote by Mike Tyson, it's also a pretty good reminder to keep your guard up.
