David Benavidez Knows Demetrius Andrade Is Big Threat

Thursday afternoon saw the promotional kickoff press conference for WBC top super middleweight contender David Benavidez headlining a PPV next month against fellow unbeaten and former WBO middleweight champ Demetrius Andrade.

And, Benavidez knows full well that despite a potential matchup with superstar Canelo Alvarez in the future, he definitely has to take Andrade seriously.

The fighters met with the media in Los Angeles, CA prior to their November 25th showdown at the Michelob Ultra Arena on the Vegas Strip.

“Everything about Demetrius Andrade is different. His fighting style is defferent. He’s a lefty. His combination selection is different,” Benavidez said. “So, it’s up to me to go in there and do the homework for myself to see what I can learn from him off his previous fights…..This guy’s a world class fighter and he’s not gonna give me an easy fight at all,”

Benavidez is the top contender

When last we saw the 26 year old undefeated Benavídez, 27-0, 23 KOs, he captured the WBC interim 168 lb. title beating former IBF world champ Caleb Plant via unanimous decision, also on a Showtime PPV in March. The Phoenix-native who now lives and trains in Seattle, Washington, previously held the WBC world title before being stripped in August of 2020 for failure to make weight in a title defense. And, there’s no doubt that he’s hungry for another crack at a world title.

Hear Dan Rafael and me discussing Benavidez-Andrade and whether it should be a PPV on our latest ‘Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast” by clicking below,

Andrade, 32-0, 19 KOs, was the WBO 160 lb. title holder for four years (2018-21), while making five title defenses. He elected to move up to super middleweight and fought veteran Demond Nicholson back in January on the undercard of a Gervonta Davis PPV. However, there is a question of inactivity, as Andrade has had only that fight in the last 23 months. Meanwhile, Benavidez has fought three times in that same time period.

Clearly, the “golden ticket” is the looming next fight for Canelo, which is already virtually set for “Cinco de Mayo” weekend next May in Vegas. And, the winner of this high profile, contender battle will be in great shape to be that fighter.