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 Saturday night 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.
“I’m trying to prove to the world that I’m the best super middleweight on this planet,” Benavidez told CBS Sports last month. “I’m going to definitely show that because I have had a tremendous training camp. I have been working for three months already and have been getting some great rounds of sparring. And this is the final Showtime [pay-per-view] so we have to go out with a bang.
“These are the type of fights that interest me because Demetrius Andrade is a great fighter, no doubt about that. But I get to test my heart and test my spirit in front of everybody. I know that when people make me reach deep down, the best of myself comes out. So, we are looking forward to this.”
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 other fight of note on Saturday marks the return of WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo when he takes on Jose Benavidez Jr., the older brother of David Benavidez. Charlo has been out of action since June 2021 as he has dealt with out-of-ring issues with his family and his own mental health. Now, he looks to knock off the ring rust when he takes on Benavidez Jr. in a 10-round non-title bout. Benavidez Jr. picked up his first win in five years in August.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the card with the latest odds.
Benavidez vs. Andrade fight card, odds
- David Benavidez -440 vs. Demetrius Andrade +335, super middleweight
- Jermall Charlo -700 vs. Jose Benavidez Jr. +500, middleweight
- Subriel Matias -350 vs. Shohjahon Ergashev +275, super lightweight
- Hector Luis Garcia -290 vs. Lamont Roach +235, 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)
