Super middleweight contenders David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade are scheduled to face off on a deep pay-per-view card Saturday in Las Vegas.
DAVID BENAVIDEZ (27-0, 23 KOs)
vs. DEMETRIUS ANDRADE (32-0, 19 KOs)
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 25
- Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
- Where: Michelob Ultra Arena (Mandalay Bay), Las Vegas
- TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
- Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
- At stake: No major titles
- Odds: Benavidez 3-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
- Also on the card: Jermall Charlo vs. Jose Benavidez Jr., super middleweights; Subriel Matias vs. Shohjahon Ergashev, junior welterweights (for Matias’ IBF junior title); Hector Luis Garcia vs. Lamont Roach, junior lightweights (for Garcia’s WBA title); Sergey Lipinets vs. Michel Rivera, junior welterweights
- Prediction: Benavidez KO 10
- Background: Benavidez continues on his path toward a showdown with 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez but must pass a tough test in Andrade first. The 26-year-old former two-time titleholder is coming off a unanimous decision over rival Caleb Plant this past March. That snapped the offensive dynamo’s streak of knockouts at six. This is the biggest opportunity in the career of the 35-year-old Andrade, who has been one of the most avoided fighters in the world. The slick, awkward southpaw has been untouchable in his long career but has not faced a top-tier opponent. The former two-division beltholder is coming off a shutout decision over Demond Nicholson in January, his first fight as a 168-pounder. Andrade would be in a strong position to challenge Alvarez if he wins. Also on the card, 160-pound champ Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) will return after a 2½-year layoff. He will face Jose Benavidez Jr. (28-2-1, 19 KOs), David’s older brother. Subriel Matias (19-1, 19 KOs) will defend his 140-pound title against Shohjahon Ergashev (23-0, 20 KOs). And 130-pound beltholder Hector Luis Garcia (16-1, 10 KOs) will defend against Lamont Roach (23-1-1, 9 KOs).
