Where Is The Energy To Fight Demetrius Andrade?
Stop me if you have read this story before. WBO Middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade coming off a standard “Boo Boo” like win Saturday night against Liam Williams, is looking to take on the most prominent middleweight and super middleweight names.
(Normally, I’d stop there, but there has to be a word count on stories to be seen on the internet.)
After the victory against Willams Saturday night, Andrade called out the other champions to step up and challenge him.
“At the end of the day, I am a champion,” said Andrade. “I am undefeated. I shouldn’t have to inspire anyone to get in the ring with me for a belt, an undefeated record, and a whole lot of money on the table.“Whenever we can sit down and make something happen, I’m willing to risk it all. I am ready to show that I am the best and to do that, I want to step in with those champions, and they have to do the same thing as well.
Andrade’s promoter Eddie Hearn echoed this same sentiment, naming Jermall Charlo and Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin.
“Charlo vs. Andrade is a massive fight. Why don’t the champions want to fight Demetrius? He was hurt tonight. He was tired tonight. He can’t make 160 lbs. forever. If I am GGG or Charlo, I am looking at him and thinking, ‘I can beat him, so why not step up?” Hearn stated.
I love Hearn and DAZN boxing analyst and Sports illustrated’s Chris Mannix and his quest for him to face Charlo. Still, it’s clear to everyone on the outside looking in that fight is a prolonged quest in a “what if it happened matchup” than legitimately happening.
My obsession with Andrade-Charlo is, admittedly, borderline unhealthy.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) April 17, 2021
It begs me to ask what the subject of all of this about, where is the energy to fight Demetrius Andrade? If you look around at the landscape at 160 and 168, it seems to be gathering dust and cobwebs by the day. That Charlo fight address by twin Jermell Charlo on Twitter listed pretty much the standstill that fight has been on.
“Mfer Signed With The Boy Across The Pond, 2yr After He Pulled Out The Fight A Week Left In Camp, Now They Willing To Take Whatever, Who Career Hurting Now, Charlo’s or Boo Boo? Mfer Know Damn Well Eddie Ain’t Gone Abide By Any Of Al Rules. Best Way To Protect That Weak Ass Chin,” Charlo stated on Twitter Sunday night.
Hearn answered that thread by stating, “Make us an offer and find out. No problems with us – ready to make the fight.”
Mfer Signed With The Boy Across The Pond, 2yr After He Pulled Out The Fight A Week Left In Camp, Now They Willing To Take Whatever, Who Career Hurting Now, Charlo’s or Boo Boo? Mfer Know Damn Well Eddie Ain’t Gone Abide By Any Of Al Rules. Best Way To Protect That Weak Ass Chin.
— JERMELL CHARLO (@TwinCharlo) April 18, 2021
All roads to that Charlo fight “still lead nowhere.” So, what about door number two with Golovkin?
Golovkin is 39 years old and is coming off an IBF mandatory defense, where he outmatched Kamil Szeremeta last December. Like so many others, Golovkim waits for that third fight with Canelo Alvarez, but is slated to fight Ryota Murata at the end of the year in Japan on December 31.
“Champions have to fight champions. And Demetrius can’t just keep defending his belt. So, if you’re Charlo, if you’re Golovkin, let’s do it. Let’s make the unification fights. Champions v. champions. That’s what boxing’s about,” Hearn said.
This byline has been the story of Andrade with his fights. His win against Williams is a typical fight where Andrade flashes early and then seems to settle and at times looked vulnerable against whoever is on the other side. It’s been like that for a while. An extended period and why his style doesn’t make for must-see boxing, his quest to be boxed out at the big names table seems to be consistently shut.
Where getting unifications all over the place in different weight classes in boxing but the top at middleweight, that just isn’t looking like a ray of possibility. Andrade’s best bet if he on a mission to get a big fight is to go his WBO mandatory route and move up to 168 and vacate the belt at 160.
By that time, we’ll know if Canelo Alvarez or Billy Joe Saunders will be next in line for that mandatory defense at 168.
Or, end up facing Zach Parker if it vacated up there. Either way, the clock is ticking for both Andrade and on fighters unwillingly to meet him.
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.
