Demetrius Andrade is fed up with evasive opposition
One would think that an undefeated, two-division champion with a decorated amateur background would not be starved for good opposition. Yet, that is exactly the precarious situation that WBO World Middleweight champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (30-0, 18 KO’s) find himself trapped in. Avid boxing fans know that Andrade has been ardently chasing the big fights since his days at super welterweight. If we are being honest though, some of this adversity was brought on by his own doing.
At one point, he did secure a bout with current WBA Super, IBF and WBC World Super Welterweight champion Jermell Charlo. Yet, before they hopped in the ring, Boo Boo abandoned the prizefight at the last minute. Andrade did this listening to promotional company Roc Nation Sports. The Rhode Island native wanted more money and the fledgling promotional outfit assured that they could secure it for him. In the end, Andrade never got the money and a scorned Charlo refused to resign the bout. In fact, Andrade ended up suing Roc Nation Sports for never receiving any payment. To this day, both Charlo brothers remain on a very avid “blacklist Andrade” campaign.
Even now, his Matchroom Boxing promoters are doing him little to no good. The only reason that he signed with them in the first place was to secure big fights with stablemates Gennady Golovkin and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Despite being housed under the same promotional umbrella, those fights remain as elusive as Inspector Gadget to Dr. Claw. Regardless of how much they evade him, Andrade promises that he will never stop his pursuit.
WHAT HURDLES MUST I HOP?!?
At this point, many that are sympathetic to his cause firmly believe that Boo Boo should abandon Matchroom. The latest rationale for this took place at the recent Canelo v Saunders post-fight presser. Andrade took it upon himself to show up and directly question Alvarez as to why he will not fight him. Shortly after Boo Boo posed his inquiry, the irate redhead started cussing at Andrade and his father, telling them both to leave.
What made the scene extra bad was the fact that Eddie Hearn, Andrade’s promoter, was sitting directly next to Canelo. Other than widely grinning, Hearn backed Alvarez by saying that Andrade should leave. The Matchroom promoter never once suggested that he thought it was a good fight or that he would at least discuss it with Canelo. Given this public lack of loyalty or solidarity, it would seem prudent for Boo Boo to make his exodus from the company. Yet, it is incidents just like this that acutely underscore Andrade’s frustration in securing the bigger, more meaningful bouts.
“When am I going to get my big break and how come I am not getting it? And what do I got to do to get it? I ran up to Charlo’s press conference, twice! You know, trying to engage something, didn’t go through. I ran up on GGG, Gennady Golovkin, I ran up on him in the ring…I wasn’t even allowed to be in the ring! I slid in up under the ropes! That’s how much of a G that I am! I slid under the ropes, they tried to stop me from going in the ring. I’m like alright, BOOM! I had my people hit the corners, the security came running after them, I slid under the ropes bro on some Jake the Snake shit!”
THE OFFICIAL HIT LIST
Sadly for Team Andrade and his fan base, despite his persistence, ingenuity, and theatrics, he still has not cornered a big time opponent. Nevertheless, Boo Boo promises that he will not stop his efforts. While he admits that he will continue to fight whoever is willing to face him in the meantime, the WBO champ is very clear on who he feels he should be facing.
“You guys are saying I’m not fighting nobody, I’m not fighting nobody and the only people that I should be fighting is GGG, Canelo, Billy Joe Saunders, Charlo, Canelo, Canelo, Canelo, Canelo, Canelo, Canelo!”
Only time will tell if Demetrius Andrade’s quest to face one of these name branded boxers will end in success. Unfortunately, going by history and the way that these other fighters almost delight in saying that they will not face him, the road is not looking sunny!
By: Bakari Simpson
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