The following press release was issued by Star Boxing, which co-promotes unbeaten former WBO 154-pound titleholder Demetrius Andrade with Banner Promotions, on Monday:

Former WBO World Jr. Middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs) stopped Argentinian Dario Fabian Pucheta (20-3) at the 50-second mark of the second round Saturday night, October 17th, at Mohegan Sun Arena to capture the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) International Junior Middleweight Title

Fighting for the first time in 16 months, Andrade – the former world title-holder made quick work of Pucheta, sending him to the canvas twice in the opening round, the first time courtesy of a straight left hand and again just seconds later with a right uppercut. Already on wobbly legs, Pucheta gave it a go in the second round, but Andrade laid him out flat with another straight left, sending the pro-Andrade crowd into an uproar.

Andrade will now vault back into the WBO rankings, where he says he’s ready for the “big boys” at 154 pounds, whether that’s WBC middleweight champ Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, World Boxing Association (WBA) junior middleweight champion Erislandy Lara, or anybody else in that weight class.

“No disrespect to any fighter because anyone who gets in that ring, I have high respect for, but it’s time for me to showcase what I really have against the guys everyone thinks is No. 1.”

“This layoff, I just took the time to get better physically, spiritually, mentally, just all around, to be better myself,” he said. “Once I found out I was fighting October 17th, I always keep the synthetic oil in, but I had to get the motors running again. Here we go, man.”

Star Boxing’s Joe DeGuardia who co-promotes Andrade with Banner Promotions had this to say about Demetrius’ performance “You would have never known this kid was away from the ring for 16 months which just proves how talented he is. He destroyed a guy who has never been off his feet and had a respectable reputation. Artie and I are looking forward to getting Demetrius back to his rightful place among boxing’s elite.”