Demetrius Andrade feels he is finally getting his chance to show who he is. It’s taken some time, more than 15 years. But he is on the stage and part of the marquee sign that he always envisioned. He is 35 years old, but he wants the boxing world to know he doesn’t feel like he’s 35, doesn’t talk like he’s 35 and certainly does not fight like he’s 35.

He knows he better not look like he is 45 on Saturday night when the former WBO junior middleweight and middleweight titlist faces two-time former WBC super middleweight titlist David Benavidez (27-0, 23 knockouts) in a 168-pound 12-round main event on Showtime Pay-Per-View (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT) from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) has dealt with starts and stops throughout his career with various promoters before signing with PBC this year. No one has ever questioned the wily southpaw’s ability, it is more a matter of getting a signature fight. Andrade has one now in Benavidez, who is in the prime of his career at 26, stands 6-foot-2 and has stopped six of his last seven opponents. “Boo Boo” also knows this is it—his crossroads fight. Win and he enters the lucrative Canelo Alvarez sweepstakes. Lose and he gets vanquished to the reclamation junk yard.

Losing, however, is far from his thoughts.

“The times off I learned about the business of boxing and it took me time to evolve,” Andrade told The Ring. “I took the time to work on my body and my mind. I learned about the things that I had to do to stay disciplined. It’s the little things and knowing what I had to get out of. In boxing, sometimes it is the blind leading the blind. I took off the blinders people wanted to put on me. I began to see. Boxing promoters telling me not to worry about anything, well, that was wrong. I worked on developing myself, and I worked with promoters and media in driving my brand, and that has helped me recently.

“I had to get out things to get to where I am. It’s lessons I want to pass on to people. I got out from under. The lowest was five years ago when I thought enough was enough. I never thought about quitting, but I looked at going back to school and get into something that suits me. I read about the business of entertainment and what means what. I have an associate degree in communications and I’m looking to get into sports medicine and I’m looking for the easiest way to one day be Dr. Andrade.”

Andrade said Benavides was not on his radar. He followed Benavides on his way up and took mental notes. Though, Andrade admits, Jermall Charlo, Alvarez, Gennadiy Golovkin, fighters of that ilk, were his focus for years. When none of those fights came to fruition, the opportunity with Benavidez arose.

“I’m happy it did,” Andrade said. “I’m happy Showtime made it happen. I have the style to beat Benavidez. I’m going to have to do everything to beat him because that’s what I do. He’s going to come forward and he may try to box me a little bit. We are both going to have to do everything to win this fight. That’s what I am—I am everything. That what people will see Saturday night.”

Andrade, currently working under veteran trainer Andre Rozier, is coming off a 10-round shutout over win over Demond Nicholson back in January. The 2008 U.S. Olympian was coming off a 13-month layoff against Nicholson. No one knows what Andrade is truly capable of, since he has not had a fight of this magnitude as a pro. He will rely on his slick style, quick right-handed jab, and lateral movement since his lack of punching power may not be enough to deter Benavidez from stepping forward. There will be times when Andrade’s boxing ability will have Benavidez flailing at air.

Can Andrade keep him away?

“I have nowhere to go, and I’m ready,” Andrade said. “I’ll be there. If he plans on boxing me, that will not be the smartest thing.”

Joseph Santoliquito is hall of fame, award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Magazine/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Follow @JSantoliquito

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