LAS VEGAS: The November 25 showdown in Las Vegas between the tenacious David Benavidez and the skillster Demetrius Andrade is "a tremendous fight" and one that Andrade should not be underestimated in, according to Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe.
The upcoming fight, which airs as one of the final events in the Showtime Sports calendar before Paramount sunsets the broadcaster, pits two undefeated super middleweight boxers together and could propel the winner further into the Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez sweepstakes.
Considering the way in which Benavidez dismantled Caleb Plant in front of a raucous atmosphere earlier this year, and Andrade's relative lack of big-name opponents on his resume, some have presumed that victory in this bout is a foregone conclusion for the Mexican 'Monster.'
However, speaking to ProBox TV recently from the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas, Ellerbe said Andrade cannot be written off.
"I think a lot of people are overlooking Boo Boo, and Boo Boo can fight his behind off," Ellerbe told us. "He's tough."
A Premier Boxing Champions source with knowledge of the situation told me in the immediate aftermath of Benavidez's thumping win over Plant that, when it comes to those who deserve a big fight, Andrade would likely be in the running for a bout against someone like Benavidez.
I also heard Demetrius Andrade would be in the hunt for a fight against David Benavidez, per a source with knowledge of the situation, who said Andrade is deserving of a big fight.#boxing https://t.co/UheNsTcYFf
— Alan Dawson🏜️ (@AlanDawsonSport) April 7, 2023
Fast forward six months, and that bout has now been booked between two PBC stalwarts at 168-pounds.
"[Andrade has] been in a situation where he hadn't got much exposure and those opportunities [in big fights]," Ellerbe said. "But now, coming over her to the PBC, he's going to get those opportunities.
"And there's no bigger opportunity than what lies ahead with the great David Benavidez. We all know what Benavidez brings to the table — I mean, he's amazing.
"But it's going to be a much better fight than what some — i've heard what the initial feedback is from some of the fans, onto the next — No, this is a great fight, Boo Boo can fight his behind off, and to Benavidez's credit, he knows that.
"This is their biggest fight to date, that they've had. it's going to be a great fight."
The Benavidez-Andrade event, which takes place at the Michelob Ultra Arena, also features fights between Subriel Matias against Shohjahon Ergashev, and Hector Luis Garcia against Lamont Roach, and Jermall Charlo against Jose Benavidez Jr. on the pay-per-view portion of the show.
Rising star Curmel Moton, who made one of the most anticipated debuts of the year at the Canelo-Charlo event in September, will take part in his second pro fight on the undercard.
A match between Andre Berto and Robert Guerrero has also been mooted as a non-PPV prelim.
