The year in boxing has delivered some grand events and fights and two days after Thanksgiving proves to be no different. We have one of the best fights that could be made as two undefeated fighters who have held titles step into the ring. David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez (27-0 23 kos) takes on Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (32-0 19kos) It’s a big risk fight for both, but a big reward as well. The name in this division is always Canelo, but will he fight the winner? If the winner makes a statement, it’ll be hard to avoid.
The Mexican Monster
It seemed for many years Benavidez had many hardcore fans, media, and fellow fighters bullish on his abilities. There was constant talk about this young kid and how great he could be. He sparred with world champions and top contenders as a teen. At age 20 he made them all look smart as he picked up his first world title. He would lose his title for outside actions and following his recapture of the title, he would lose it this time on the scales. He has admitted and taken all the criticism for those mistakes and has kept himself dedicated since. Nothing was more evident than when he faced former world champion Caleb Plant and put on a great performance where he consistently improved round by round.
It’s Me Again
Andrade has had a different path to this fight. The former Olympian is a two-division champion with a unique style that has made other fighters hesitant to step into the ring with him. He is a two-division champion, but this fight will be his first fight against either a current or former world champion. Now some does have to do with avoidance and boxing politics, but “Boo Boo” has also not helped himself with some decisions he has made along his career. In recent years he has attempted to get those fights made and nothing shows more than his signing with the PBC where the best stable of 168 fighters reside. A lot of issue with Andrade has been how he consistently will let fighters hang around as opposed to closing the show. In his second-to-last fight with Jason Quigley “Boo Boo” attempted to dispel that narrative as he stopped Quigley in two rounds. It didn’t do that because with prior fights still lingering around in everyone’s mind, well Jonah Hill in Superbad said it best, “People don’t forget.”
Prediction
This is a tough fight as both fighters appear to be in top shape with both coming in under the 168 lb. limit. Benavidez has had no issue making the weight the last couple of years and this is Andrade’s second fight this year at 168. Andrade’s tricky style and movement can make it difficult for Benavidez. As Andrade throws from odd angles and is consistently able to just get out of the way of return fire. Benavidez though has shown he doesn’t get tired and will consistently throw until he eventually breaks down his opponents. Benavidez is the naturally bigger fighter and works well going to the body and head. Will Andrade be able to use his style to befuddle Benavidez or will he succumb to the relentless attack of “The Mexican Monster”?
I have Benavidez by the 11th round tko as Andrade will give him fits throughout but will eventually get caught and stopped. Regardless the winner should be next in line for the Canelo fight in what would be the big Super Fight next year
