On Saturday, ​former two-time super middleweight titlist David Benavidez will face two-division beltholder Demetrius Andrade in a 12-round contest at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

The two will meet in what promises to be an absorbing clash of styles on Showtime Pay-Per-View (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT) in what will be the network’s last PPV boxing event (their final boxing show will be on Dec. 16). It will also be available in select territories on FITE.

Benavidez, The Ring’s No. 1-rated super middleweight behind champion Canelo Alvarez, is an offensive beast, a physically imposing pressure fighter with speed and power. He became the youngest fighter to win a super middleweight world title when he edged past Ronald Gavril (SD 12) to collect the WBC belt. He beat Gavril (UD 12) much more comprehensively in a rematch.

The Arizona native was later busted for cocaine use and stripped of the title, however he impressively regained the belt from Anthony Dirrell (TKO 9). Unfortunately, Benavidez missed weight in his first defense of his second reign and lost the belt on the scale. The 26-year-old has fought four times since, notably demolishing former middleweight titlist David Lemieux (TKO 3) and, most recently, beating former titleholder Caleb Plant (UD 12).

Benavidez knocked out David Lemieux in three rounds. (Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime)

Andrade was a standout amateur who won gold at the 2007 world championships and represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympics. As a professional, the Rhode Island native holds wins over Vanes Martirosyan (SD 12), Willie Nelson (TKO 12), Maciej Sulecki (UD 12) and Liam Williams (UD 12).

However, the cerebral southpaw is too ring savvy for his own good and he’s struggled to secure a defining fight. The 35-year-old bounced around promoters before he signed with PBC and made his debut with the company earlier this year with a dominant points win over Demond Nicholson (UD 10).

Benavidez (27-0, 23 knockouts) showed last time out he was capable of solving a puzzle from an astute boxer when he came on strong in the second half against Plant. Might he have to do something similar here? Although Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) has been a professional for 15-years, he’s never been able to land a big fight, until now. Can he take advantage of his big opportunity? This will be the first southpaw Benavidez has faced since he stopped Denis Douglin (TKO 10) in 2016. Will that present something of a problem for Benavidez? Andrade has fought most of his career at 154 and 160. Now he’s in with a big, strong 168 pounder, who will be aggressive. Can Andrade hold him off?

Online gambling group William Hill lists Benavidez as an 2/7 (-350) favorite, while Andrade is priced at 5/2 (+250); the draw is 18/1 (+1800).

Here’s how the experts see it:

THE RING

DOUG FISCHER: BENAVIDEZ MD
“I favor the younger, naturally bigger and busier fighter, but I think Andrade will turn back the clock and put forth game and competitive performance that takes Benavidez the distance. I know Andrade is motivated and confident, just as Benavidez is, and teaming up with veteran trainer Andre Rozier and having a good camp at the SNAC compound in the Bay Area makes me think he’ll have the game plan and stamina to hold off the aggressive and antagonistic younger down the stretch. Although I think Andrade’s awkwardness, mobility and timing (especially with is left hand) will trouble Benavidez during the early rounds, and maybe into the middle rounds, the Arizonan’s pressure, volume-punching and underrated counterpunching will take over the second half of the fight (on the official judges’ scorecards if not physically). It might be close, but I think Benavidez gets the nod.”

ANSON WAINWRIGHT: BENAVIDEZ UD
“This is really intriguing style match up. There is a lot on the line for both men. The victor will be the No. 1 challenger to Canelo Alvarez and a dominant win for either puts them front and center for that fight next year. Andrade has the style to give Benavidez a lot of trouble with his movement, we saw that with Caleb Plant earlier this year. I expect Andrade to give Benavidez fits early but slow but surely the younger, stronger, naturally bigger man will begin to have more and more success and in the later stages of the fight put it on Andrade. It’ll be competitive but Benavidez will win a just but close unanimous decision.”

LEE GROVES: BENAVIDEZ UD
“This fight offers a pleasing contrast of styles and will administer a stern test for both, but I believe there are several factors working against Andrade. First, he’s nine years older at 35. Second, he’s coming off a 322-day layoff and will be competing for only the second time since November 2021. Third, while he’s undefeated, he has yet to meet someone who has the mix of size, work rate and power of the 26-year-old Benavidez, who should be considered a young veteran. Fourth, Benavidez is the larger and stronger man, and his defense is better over the long term than one might think. Finally, Andrade will be experiencing the bright lights of a big-time pay-per-view main event for the first time while Benavidez went through that drill earlier this year against Plant and performed well. Benavidez has turned into a methodical starter and a fast finisher while Andrade has produced very fast starts only to shift into cruise control later. I believe Benavidez will weather whatever early storm “Boo Boo” dares to try and assert his control in the second half of the fight on his way to a clear decision victory.”

DIEGO MORILLA: BENAVIDEZ TKO 10
“Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of Andrade’s style. Some of his fights still rank among the least exciting I’ve ever seen. At 35, his great footwork seems to be eroding, and against a pure volume puncher like Benavidez he will get caught sooner or later. I am betting on the latter.”

MARTY MULCAHEY: BENAVIDEZ UD
“It is not the big Canelo fight we all want for David Benavidez, but it is not a bad matchup either. I can’t believe I am saying this about a 35-year-old professional, with 32 victories, who has held a world title… but Demetrius Andrade has not fought anyone to prepare him for Benavidez. Maybe 8-years ago Andrade had the speed to befuddle and win rounds against Benavidez, but no more and I do not think he can match the ring generalship of Benavidez. On top of that, Benavidez is the naturally bigger and stronger man who will wear on Andrade. Once Benavidez consistently cuts off the ring it is fight over, with Andrade retreating into a defensive shell handing a lopsided unanimous decision victory to Benavidez.”

RON BORGES: BENAVIDEZ UD
“Demetrius Andrade is a nightmare to face. He is slick, quick and has superior lateral movement and understands the frustrating value of maintaining proper range and angles. According to CompuBox stats the 32 opponents he has faced have a stunningly low 17.9 percent connection rate, meaning that over 82% of the time opponents have failed to land against him. Talk about frustrating! Those skills have left the 35-year-old Andrade undefeated and a two-time world champion without having the kind of punching power that causes opponents to think twice before throwing. That style is in complete contrast to David Benavidez, the undefeated 26-year-old undefeated super middleweight who has knocked out 23 opponents on his way to a 26-0 record. If styles make fights there could not be too more contrasting style than the slick, patient Andrade and the uber aggressive, combination firing Benavidez. The latter has built his career on pressuring opponents until they wear down while the former has made his bones by frustrating just those kinds of opponents. Benavidez will have to deal with some difficult moments during which he will be made to look like a clown. The problem for Andrade is that he will have to deal with a relentless pressure opponent who while he has struggled with slick boxers before he eventually has broken them down, as he did with Caleb Plant.

“For Andrade to win he cannot simply play defense and make Benavidez look bad. At some point he will have to take a few risks himself to pile up enough points to win a decision. He can win a decision but his margin for error will be a slim one. Too slim, in the end, to outpoint Benavidez, who will eventually wear him out by wearing him down because slick defense and embarrassing moments won’t be enough to keep Benavidez missing all night. Benavidez by unanimous decision.”

NORM FRAUENHEIM: BENAVIDEZ UD
“Most of the measurable advantages are on Benavidez’ side of the ledger. He’s bigger, a super-middleweight, soon to be at light heavy. He’s younger, 26-years-old and just moving into his prime. He’ll be 27 on December 17. But Benavidez also has no illusions. His fight with 35-year-old Demetrius Andrade is 50-50, he says. Translation: It’s tricky. It’s no secret why Andrade is one of his generation’s most-avoided fighters. His comprehensive skill set often represents a puzzle. It can make you look bad. Benavidez knows that. But he also knows he has the energy that comes with youth. In a test of his patience and maturity, look for him to use it in much the same way he did in punishing Caleb Plant in the later rounds for a scorecard victory last March.”

Demetrius Andrade outclassed tough Demond Nicholson in his super middleweight debut. Photo by Amanda Westcott-SHOWTIME

BOXING INSIDERS

DUKE MCKENZIE (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): ANDRADE SD
“I think everybody in the fight trade is talking about this fight. I’m looking forward to a genuine world-class fight, boxing needs it and while quite a few of the experts will lean towards Benavidez. I am jumping ship and going towards Andrade, who has yet to show just what he is capable of, as there is so much more to come from him, I’m sure. I believe Andrade fights to the level of his opposition. I would expect Benavidez to get off to a quick start and take the early rounds, but I feel Andrade will be the stronger in the second half of the fight and take control. I do not see a KO from either boxer and believe Andrade will win by a 12-round split decision.”

MARC RAMSAY (TRAINER): BENAVIDEZ TKO 10
“Very interesting fight on paper. Demetrius Andrade is a much more talented boxer than people may think. A fast southpaw is always complicated, but Benavidez has proven in the past that he is a complete boxer: Fast and technical in addition to being powerful and tough and I think the fight is going to be about those two aspects. After a close start to the fight, I see Benavidez taking control in the second half of the fight and finally stopping Andrade at the end of the fight. Benavidez TKO 10.”

CAMILLE ESTEPHAN (PROMOTER, EYE OF THE TIGER PROMOTIONS): BENAVIDEZ TKO
“While Andrade is a very skilled southpaw and could make things a little complicated, I believe Benavidez given his size, power, age and the activity level vs (Andrade who has been much less active and lacking significant opponents). For all these factors I believe Benavidez pressure and punishment will give him the edge. I see Benavidez stopping Andrade late.”

CHRISTIAN MBILLI (SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER): BENAVIDEZ PTS
“I think it’s going to be a very good fight, and I can see Benavidez winning on points.”

ERIK BAZINYAN (SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER): BENAVIDEZ
“I think Benavidez should win him, but Andrade is very slick boxer it could get tricky. I think it will be interesting.”

TOM GRAY (FORMER MANAGING EDITOR FOR THE RING): BENAVIDEZ TKO 11
“While I wouldn’t be surprised to see Andrade outpoint Benavidez, I just think the former’s inactivity comes back to haunt him here. Benavidez is a truth machine and he exerts so much pressure. He’ll know how to fight this kind off style and will continually deprive Andrade of the time and distance he wants. I expect the wheels to fall off Andrade in the championship rounds.”

JOE ROTONDA (MATCHMAKER, MAIN EVENTS): BENAVIDEZ TKO
“This is such an important fight for both guys, Andrade has been petitioning for a big fight for a long time, and for whatever reason it just never materialized for him. Meanwhile, Benavidez knows that a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez is on the line. In the past, we have seen Demetrius coast to decision wins without showing any sense of urgency to finish the fight, this is something that you can get away with when fighting some guys, but I don’t think you can do that with David Benavidez. He is the complete opposite, constantly applying pressure, using his size and reach to his advantage throughout the fight. I think he will be way too physical and overwhelming from the opening bell for Andrade, ultimately leading to a stoppage win for the Mexican Monster.”

ROBERT DIAZ (MATCHMAKER): BENAVIDEZ UD
“This is a fight for the fans. This is a fight that has two of the most avoided fighters in the division, a clash of styles if there ever was one. I believe that Benavides has the strength and the size advantage. However, Andrade will show him troubles that he hasn’t seen before. Andrade will show movement and boxing skill he has never seen before with his movement but in the end after a very competitive bout we will see Benavides a winner by 12-round unanimous decision.”

RICH MAROTTA (COMMENTATOR): BENAVIDEZ PTS
“I really like this fight because it has three elements I enjoy: 1) Neither fighter knows what it is to lose, 2) A true contrast in styles and 3) Its a tough one to pick. I see the fight playing out in three stages, early rounds to Demetrius, middle rounds close but Benitez coming on with relentless pressure, and late rounds dominated by David. I see Benavidez winning a decision.”

RUDY HERNANDEZ (TRAINER): BENAVIDEZ TKO
“It’s an interesting fight. Both fight styles make for a can’t miss fight. Punches in bunches. I don’t see this fight going the distance as both will be there to fight. I like Benavidez to win within the distance as he is and will be the most active of the two, and may have more punching power.”

​WAYNE MCCULLOUGH (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/ TRAINER): ANDRADE UD
“Demetrius Andrade is the older fighter in this one, at age 35, taking on David Benavidez, who is only 26. Both unbeaten champions will come to win, and I am expecting a barnburner of a fight! The hard punching Benavidez will try his best to get a quick knockout but will leave himself open for Andrade’s slick, quick southpaw right jabs and hard straight lefts. Mistakes will be made by Benavidez allowing Andrade to win rounds using his boxing skills, scoring with jabs and one-two combinations. I see Andrade taking a points win in a fight where he could lose some rounds but have enough in the bank to win on all three cards in a close fight.”

RAUL MARQUEZ (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/COMMENTATOR): BENAVIDEZ TKO 10
“Andrade needs to box, box and box use his awkwardness. Just keep moving can’t be a sitting duck. Benavidez will be trying to prove his deserves Canelo fight next. He will bring it from the beginning. Punches in bunches and consistent body attack. I believe Benavidez wins by TKO late. Benavidez TKO 10.”

JOHN SCULLY (TRAINER): BENAVIDEZ UD
“I think this is a very interesting fight, stylistically. I would have to say that Andrade likely creates a great deal of problems for David over the first half of the fight and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s leading going into the seventh or eighth round. After that, though, my gut tells me that David will be much stronger over the last quarter of the fight and will ramp up the pressure and punch output to come away with a closer than expected but unanimous decision victory.”

Final Tally: Benavidez 18-2

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him on

Twitter: @AnsonWainwright

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