By Robert Soucy
In October of 1991 at the Providence Civic Center, Vinny Pazienza defeated Gilbert Dele for the WBA light middleweight title. Unfortunately for Pazienza he suffered a broken neck only a few weeks later and would not get a chance to defend his title. At that point the state of Rhode Island would endure a 22-year drought before its next world champion boxer would be crowned. However, Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, the 2008 U.S. Olympian at 152 lbs and Providence native, has put the smallest state back on the boxing map and in a big way!
On November 9th, 2013 Andrade defeated Vanes Martirosyan by decision to win the vacant WBO light middleweight championship. With a world title under his belt, Andrade is one of the fastest rising stars in boxing and knows his time is now. “Ive been calling out some of these other champion in my weight class,” said Andrade. “I’ve been asking for Carlos Molina (IBF 154 lb. champ) for a while now but he won’t fight me unless there is huge money involved. I’ll also fight the winner of Canelo Alvarez and (Erislandy)Lara. If not I’m ready for the man himself, Floyd Mayweather!”
Last Saturday on HBO Andrade made his first defense of his title against tough mandatory challenger Brian Rose of England. Andrade improved to 21-0 (14ko’s) as he dominated Rose en route to a seventh round TKO win. Rose, who hit the canvas twice, was extremely impressed with his American counterpart. “No one has ever done that to me,” said Rose. “Everytime I threw a punch I was getting hit with two in return. He is even better than I thought, probably one of the best out there.”
Floyd “Money” Mayweather, who has crossed over to mainstream superstardom, is the recognized pound-for-pound king of boxing and holds unified titles at both 147 and 154 lbs. As of now, a bout with Andrade is probably not an option for Mayweather but it could be in 2015. “He is the WBC champion and has something I want,” said Andrade. “If he wasn’t fighting in my division or have the WBC belt I wouldn’t be worried about him. I am the next cash cow in boxing, believe it.”
“Floyd Mayweather won’t fight me now but let him get all the wins he can and then in his last fight (Mayweather has three fights left on his deal with Showtime) he needs to fight someone that’s “colored,” has rythym, and knows how to be agile like him. I have a high boxing IQ and can adjust like he can in a fight. Of course he won’t want to fight me because he only fights the guys who will stand in front of him and get out boxed.”
Andrade, who is ambidextrous, fights out of a southpaw stance and has most tools that a top-level fighter with pound for pound potential would likely possess. He is tall, long, and slick with fast hands, a great jab and deceptive power. According to Andrade’s father and trainer Paul, he may even shock a future opponent with his ability to fight from an orthodox stance. “Boo Boo is actually right handed,” said the elder Andrade. “He has more punching power as a right handed fighter but is a little bit more comfortable fighting left-handed.” Paul Andrade also directed some words at Floyd Mayweather. “I don’t know if Mayweather is ready for the style and athleticism that Boo Boo brings. If not he should stay at 147 where he belongs but if so then he needs to answer the call.”
When analyzing Andrade it is hard not to be impressed with his top-level talent and high upside. He may very well feature the fastest hands in boxing north of 147 lbs. and is one of the only fighters in the sport who has “A” level technical skills but can also be described as awkward. Although he doesn’t possess explosive one-punch power, he has shown decent pop when he sits down on his punches. Andrade is a very sharp puncher and frequently his speed will be his power.
For the rest of the junior middle and middleweight division it’s scary to consider that at 26 years of age and with the great amateur pedigree Demetrius Andrade is still improving. If he decides to move up and test the waters at middleweight there is a very interesting fight with undefeated middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin waiting in the wings.
Over the next few years the state of Rhode Island has a professional athlete of its own to embrace and be proud of! Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade is a great kid who has lived a clean life dedicated to the sport of boxing. Ultimately, he may be the best Rhode Island native to ever lace up the gloves. Vinny Paz and Peter Manfredo each had a large fan base that began in the Ocean State and Demetrius Andrade certainly deserves his!
