Today at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, undefeated two-time division champion Demetrius Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) takes on WBC interim super middleweight champion David Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs).
The winner could earn top candidacy at a potential match against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs). Demetrius Andrade has long sought a marquee matchup against a stellar opponent in which he could showcase his talent and propel himself into superstardom.
The opportunity has now arrived. Can he defeat the Mexican Monster and place himself among the elite in the super middleweight division?
To do so, he must do what only three men have been able to do, which is survive the blistering attack for the full match. Ronald Gavril (23-3, 18 KOs) went the distance with David twice and was able to also score a knockdown in one of their matches. The Mexican Monster has weaknesses and if Andrade is able to exploit them effectively, he can be competitive.
David Benavidez has heavy feet. Slick, quick, and elusive boxers with excellent footwork can exploit this weakness with effective movement. Caleb Plant (22-2, 13 KOs) was able to successfully box David in the early rounds, outlanding him 31 to 29 in the first four rounds (Compubox).
For Andrade, the big question is, can he at 35 withstand the punishment from Benavidez, and is he agile and elusive enough to outpoint the 26-year-old? Anthony Dirrell (34- 3-2, 25 KOs), at 34 years of age, found limited success in jabbing David’s midsection and then moving out of range.
If Demetrius can effectively employ this strategy along with utilizing angles and lateral movement, he could potentially outpoint Benavidez.
Benavidez’s output consists mainly of power punches; he jabs at a low rate. Against Plant, of his 551 punches thrown, only 132 were jabs (Compubox). The reason is that he has a predictable rhythm whereby he needs to set himself to throw his blistering combinations; if he’s not allowed to set his feet, his combinations are less effective.
If Andrade can minimize Benavidez’s offense through quick movement and using a variety of angles and can contain him at a distance, he’ll make it extremely difficult for The Mexican monster to find his rhythm and essentially connect.
Demetrius Andrade has the skills and ability to outpoint Benavidez but doing so will pose extremely difficult. As Caleb Plant discovered, David has the stamina to pressure his opponents for the full twelve rounds.
He punishes his opponents with blistering combinations, breaking them down round by round until, ultimately, they give out. Andrade must have the stamina, fortitude, and strength to combat Benavidez for the full twelve rounds; if he’s unable to do so, he won’t survive.
Andrade must pace himself, be smart and strategic, and utilize the entire 20-foot ring. He must box masterfully to ascend to greatness. He has all the tools needed to win the match. Can he execute the game plan?
