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In a super middleweight division where the shadow of undisputed champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez looms large, David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade will battle to move one step closer to a crack at the champ. The fight goes down on Nov. 25 from Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas and airs on Showtime Pay-Per-View.
Benavidez (27-0, 23 KO) is a two-time former WBC super middleweight champion but was stripped of his championship both times he held it. First, Benavidez tested positive for cocaine in an August 2018 drug test administered by VADA. After regaining the title, Benavidez missed weight ahead of his August 2020 fight with Roamer Alexis Angulo, resulting in him being stripped for a second time.
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Despite those missteps outside the ring, Benavidez has consistently been one of the best fighters in the world at 168 pounds. He’s coming off an impressive decision win over Caleb Plant in March.
Andrade (32-0, 19 KO) is also undefeated and a former two-time world champion, though his titles came at junior middleweight and middleweight. His style has not always produced exciting fights and he has often claimed to be one of the most avoided fighters in the sport, repeatedly trying to goad Alvarez into a fight only to be laughed off.
A win over Benavidez would make it hard for any of the sport’s big names — including Alvarez — to continue to ignore Andrade.
The undercard also features the return of Jermall Charlo as the WBC middleweight champion takes on Jose Benavidez Jr. Charlo has not fought since June 2021 and looks to continue his unbeaten run against a stiff test in Benavidez Jr., who scored a TKO win in August for his first victory since June 2018.
“I’m excited to be back — back where I belong. I’m really re-learning boxing, like in the amateurs all over again,” Charlo said ahead of the fight. “I feel new to it. It’s a thrill at the same time. I’m putting my life on the line once again, to shock the world and let people know that I’m on top.
“A lot of people consider mental health when can’t stabilize your mind and think forward. And that’s kind of where I was at. I was in a place of not being able to explain it to anyone and kind of always shielded it and I had to fight through that through my learning experiences. The main thing I’ve learned this whole time is patience. I got ready on my own terms. I’m back in the ring on my own terms. I feel better at my own pace and I’m going to go in and face my battles on my own timing.”
There are two more main card bouts to watch on Saturday night. IBF super lightweight champion Subriel Matias takes on Shohjahon Ergashev and Hector Luis Garcia is set to take on Lamont Roach in a super featherweight bout. Matias is 19-1 with all of his wins coming by knockout. His lone loss came in February 2020 by decision to Petros Ananyan. He’s won four in a row since then, including a stoppage of Jeremias Nicolas Ponce to claim the vacant IBF crown this February. Garcia suffered his first pro loss in his last outing when he was stopped by Gervonta Davis in January. Before that, he had amassed a 16-0 mark with three no contests.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the card with the latest odds.
Benavidez vs. Andrade fight card, odds
- David Benavidez -385 vs. Demetrius Andrade +300, super middleweight
- Jermall Charlo -800 vs. Jose Benavidez Jr. +550, middleweight
- Subriel Matias -400 vs. Shohjahon Ergashev +310, super lightweight
- Hector Luis Garcia vs. Lamont Roach, super featherweight
Benavidez vs. Andrade info
- Date: Nov. 25
- Location: Michelob Ultra Arena — Las Vegas
- Start time: 9 p.m. ET
- How to watch: Showtime PPV ($74.99)
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