24 November 2023 , 11:06
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After the razzmatazz of Formula One, it’s boxing’s turn to put on a show in Las Vegas with David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade topping a stacked bill.
It’s great to see boxing serve its core audience from an a la carte menu after the fast food MMA crossover fodder between Tommy Fury and KSI. Also on the bill are world title bouts at super-lightweight and super featherweight plus WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, ending a 30-month absence against the elder Benavidez, Jose Jnr, in a 10-rounder.
After twice losing the WBC super-middleweight title out of the ring, the first time in 2018 following a positive test for cocaine, and the second in 2020 when he failed to make the weight, unbeaten Benavidez is approaching his peak at 27. He says he wants to be the face of boxing and is eyeing a mouthwatering collision against Saul Canelo Alvarez.
Standing in front of him is an unbeaten two division champion with all the guile in the world. Though the elder by eight years and making only his second appearance at the weight, Andrade has the experience and style to take Benavidez all the way.
Andrade, a southpaw, believes he will be too fast, too sharp for the naturally bigger man. Caleb Plant thought that, too, but learned in the second half of their fight just how relentless Benavidez can be.
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Benavidez is massive for the weight. The outcome rests on the ability of Andrade to take his power. Benavidez throws in bunches, yet, as his KO record shows (23/27), he is heavy handed too. He bristles with menace and intent.
Andrade has fought only once since outclassing Jason Quigley in Manchester in 2021, a 10-round tester at 168 pounds in January. Benavidez won’t be as accommodating as over-matched Demond Nicholson. Andrade likes opponents to initiate, which falls right into the strengths of Benavidez. It is a feather in the caps of both that they are risking their unbeaten records in a non-title fight. Boxing needs more of this.
David Benavidez will be eyeing up success in Las Vegas this weekendMake no mistake this is a real test for both, an examination that will probe their weaknesses as well as reveal their strengths. Andrade is all angles and movement. He makes opponents miss with crushing regularity, which is exhausting and disheartening for the aggressor.
He could easily make Benavidez look foolish for six rounds but at some point the bigger man will impose his style on this contest. It’s a classic boxing dish, the defensive guru against my kind of fighter, an aggressive, walk-you-down, combination puncher, and for me, the winner in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym