Demetrius Andrade called out Terence Crawford on social media, asking him for an “opportunity” to challenge for his undisputed super middleweight championship.
Andrade’s Direct Callout to Crawford
The former two-division world champion Andrade (32-1, 19 KOs) points out that he was given fights against Canelo Alvarez and Errol Spence. In contrast, he was shut out of the big fights until he faced the much bigger David Benavidez 21 months ago, on November 25, 2023.
The 2008 U.S Olympian Andrade has only lost to one fighter during his career, David Benavidez. That defeat was more about Benavidez having the size advantage over Andrade after rehydrating for their super middleweight bout.
Andrade hasn’t fought since his loss to Benavidez, but that inactivity isn’t much different from the pair of 13-month layoffs Crawford had since his win over Spence in July 2023.
Terence is coming off the biggest win of his career, a run-filled 12-round unanimous decision against Canelo last Saturday night on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
A Look at Crawford’s Next Move
The three-division undisputed champion Crawford hasn’t said who he’ll fight next, but it’s widely believed that he’s in a holding pattern, waiting to see if Canelo will want to run it back to avenge his loss.
If that doesn’t happen, the next likely option that Crawford will want is #1 WBC mandatory challenger Hamzah Sheeraz. He’s one of the fighters that Turki Alalshikh is high on, and Crawford can make a lot of money fighting the inexperienced 26-year-old Hamzah.
Craword’s Viable Options
- Canelo Alvarez
- Hamzah Sheeraz
- Jermall Charlo
- David Benavidez: ‘The Mexican Monster’ has already been rejected by Crawford and his trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre
- Dmitry Bivol
Crawford, 37, is five months older than Andrade, so there’s no argument that can be made about age being a reason why this fight can’t happen. Demetrius turned 37 in February, and he’s still young enough to give Crawford problems with his skills, power, and southpaw stance.
A History of Being Overlooked
“I’m going to be a three-division world champion. Are you going to give me an opportunity like nobody else did in this boxing game?” said former two-division world champion Demetrius Andrade to Punsh Drunk Boxing, calling out Terence Crawford for a title shot at his undisputed super middleweight championship.
“Are you going to treat me like everybody else did because you got your opportunity against Errol Spence and got your opportunity against Canelo? I’m stronger, faster, and better looking. I would have knocked Canelo out,” said Andrade.
I’d say there’s a high probability that Crawford won’t give Andrade an “opportunity” for a fight, despite his past achievements and credentials in the sport being way beyond those of 41 of the 42 opponents that Terence has fought during his 17-year professional career.
Andrade is still a threat to fighters of his size, and Crawford is slightly smaller and less powerful. That would be difficult for Crawford because he wouldn’t be able to befuddle the southpaw Demetrius using his switch-hitting or his movement.
Terence would have to actually fight him in the trenches the way Benavidez did if he wanted to win, apart from oddball scoring by the judges. Some fans on social media felt that judges gave Crawford many rounds he didn’t deserve in his fights against Canelo and Israil Madrimov.
Turki’s Influence on Crawford’s Career
Andrade’s career has been much like Crawford’s, with him being shut out of the big fights. The only difference is that Turki Alalshikh took an interest in Crawford, paying him millions and getting him fights against Madrimov and Canelo.
These are fights that Andrade would have likely won if he’d been given the same opportunity. Crawford was given a lucky break due to Turki liking his hit-and-run style of fighting, which is similar to Andrade’s, but less power-oriented. Historically, I believe that Demetrius tends to stand and fight his opponents than Crawford.