Battle of the Unbeaten: Benavidez v Andrade Preview and Prediction

Undefeated stars square off as David Benavidez defends his interim WBC super-middleweight championship against two-division world champion Demetrius Andrade at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday morning SA time), writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

David Benavidez (1.25) v Demetrius Andrade (3.85) (WBC Interim Super Middleweight Championship)

6 AM Sunday SA time

Game as can be and champing at the bit for greatness. That characterises both of these top talents set to throw down in a high-stakes, 12-round showdown.

For years, these two have longed for an opportunity to enter the elite of the sport. Battles against the biggest names like Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin are life changing. They’re chances to cement yourself as a legend killer and a legend in the making. Yet, the titans are extremely calculating in who they face and when.

Benavidez has the inside track to face Canelo for the undisputed 168-pound belt. He’s the interim champion and is coming off a star-making massacre of Caleb Plant in March. Bloodying and battering the former IBF super middleweight champion, he ascended to the next level and sent a clear message to Canelo. Get past Andrade, especially in spectacular fashion, and it’ll be hard to deny him the next shot at Canelo, the king of boxing for the last decade or so.

Having received a blockbuster bout last time out, he’s paying it forward and granting veteran Andrade a similar opportunity. A tricky, tough and tenured fighter, Andrade has been toiling for a massive fight for years and finally gets his chance. As they say, though, be careful what you wish for.  

Benavidez is a beast. He’s had problems outside of the ring, but he’s been a dominant force inside of it. A former two-time WBC super-middleweight champion, he lost his title for the first time after popping for cocaine and the second time for missing weight.

He’s your favourite fighter’s favourite fighter. Given the nickname “The Mexican Monster” by none other than Mike Tyson, he’s a hammer-fisted harbinger of pain with a perfect record of 27-0 with 23 knockouts.

The 26-year-old is nasty, a predator who goes for the kill every time he steps inside the squared circle. His combination of size, power, skill and volume has made him a feared tour de force. As a natural super middleweight, he’ll be the bigger, stronger and more athletic man. At 6’2″, he has a two-inch height and one-inch reach advantage.

Unorthodox, bold and unbeaten. That’s Andrade in a nutshell. Even his coach says he does things that don’t make sense and so far, it’s worked wonders for him as he’s 32-0 with 19 knockouts.

Andrade, who became a double Golden Gloves winner, a World Championship gold medallist and represented America at the 2008 Olympics before turning pro, is a two-time world champion, though his title triumphs came at junior middleweight and middleweight.

With such a résumé one would assume “Boo Boo” has had a glittering pro career, but that’s not quite the case. Yes, he’s conquered all comers and won gold twice over, but he hasn’t faced the best of the best.

He only just made his super middleweight debut in January, easily beating Demond Nicholson by decision, and now has an opportunity to propel himself into the stardom he’s been seeking his whole career.

With all the natural advantages (size, power and speed) as well as top-tier experience, Benavidez is the sizeable favourite for good reason. The question is whether Andrade’s ring acumen and unconventional ways out of the southpaw stance will cause enough frustration for the 35-year-old to pull off the upset.

It’s highly unlikely. Benavidez isn’t just an aggressive, power-puncher. He can adapt to situations mid-fight, which leaves him equipped to handle just about any challenge. With no serious power coming back his way, he’ll put the pressure on Andrade and leave Las Vegas with his title and unbeaten record intact.

Prediction: Benavidez by decision.

Best Bet: Benavidez by decision at 2.40.

Alternative Bet: Benavidez by KO/TKO/DQ at 2.40.