LAS VEGAS: David Benavidez entered Fighter of the Year territory with a violent come-from-behind bludgeoning of master technician Demetrius Andrade.
In a fight that had been seven months in the making, when Benavidez out-slugged Caleb Plant in March, Premier Boxing Champions knew they had a fighter to match Demetrius Andrade with, for Andrade — relatively new to the PBC family at that time, was long overdue and deserving of a big fight, the organization felt.
Even though Benavidez was on the cusp of an even bigger fight of his own, perhaps against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, he risked it all to take on Andrade, and try and add another name to his ever-growing resume of super middleweight scalps.
‘The Mexican Monster’ meets his moment 👹@Benavidez300 heads to the ring.#BenavidezAndrade starts NOW!
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) November 26, 2023
Order: https://t.co/lcYztq3zt7 pic.twitter.com/y3EGDHkYXj
But Andrade was by no means there, at the Michelob Ultra Arena inside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, to make up the numbers on Saturday as he started fast, hard, and strong.
Benavidez began with body shots he'd tuck underneath Bnenavidez's elbow, landing in acute fashion on the sides of his midsection.
He ended the round with a flurry, and did enough to get the first score on the card, before doubling that in the second thanks to his combination work, and speed advantages.
In the third and fourth, though, Benavidez's strength, power, and tenacity ensured he was able to turn the tide — something that seemed irreversible when he floored Andrade with a heavy right hand that landed bang on the forehead. Down went Andrade!
.@Benavidez300 DROPS Andrade in the final seconds of round 4 😱 #BenavidezAndradeo pic.twitter.com/HaYO2fnRQ3
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) November 26, 2023
In the fifth, the shellacking continued as Benavidez threw a fight-high number of punches, 82, landing 40 — 38 of which were considered by Compubox to be powerful. Andrade, by contrast, landed just 10.
What. A. Fight. 🥵#BenavidezAndrade pic.twitter.com/Pl6afDCINa
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) November 26, 2023
In the sixth, there was no respite for Benavidez who absorbed 38 more punches before the corner intervened between rounds to withdraw their fighter from taking any more punishment.
It was all over.
This fighter is more than a "Monster," that his nickname says he is. He's the best example boxing can provide as the "Baddest Mother F---er" in combat sports.
He then called for a fight with Canelo, much to the delight of the raucous crowd.
After this showing — one improved from his big win over Caleb Plant earlier in the year — it's a fight he could easily win.
