2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade has graduated from promising prospect to legitimate contender, climbing the world rating’s ladder in the junior middleweight division to No. 6 in the World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) and No. 7 in the International Boxing Federation (“IBF”).
Andrade (16-0, 11 KOs) returns to the ring this Saturday night (May 5), headlining (starting at 10:00 PM / ET) an “ESPN Boxing: FNF Special Edition,” presented by Corona Extra, on ESPN2. The gifted southpaw faces Contender, Season Two participant Rudy Cisneros (12-3, 11 KOs) in the 10-round main event on a card promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Attending fans at Mohegan Sun Arena will be able to remain in their seats after the live action concludes to watch a closed circuit showing of the Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto fight on the spacious venue’s jumbo screen.
The 24-year-old Andrade, fighting out of nearby Providence, is also rated No. 15 in the World Boxing Council (“WBC”) and World Boxing Association (“WBA”). Rankings, however, don’t mean a lot, at least right now, to the 2007 World amateur champion who is co-promoted by Star Boxing and Banner Promotions.
“High ratings show the public where I am but, for me, I’m just 16-0 – soon to be 17-0 – and still climbing the ladder,” Andrade explained his present outlook on his rising status. “I rate myself by the opponents I’ve fought. When I beat top 10 guys, I’ll feel like I’m really at the top of the ratings.”
Andrade’s last two fights, against former world title challengers, have lasted a grand total of five rounds. Last February 10 at Mohegan Sun, Andrade destroyed Angel Hernandez (30-10) in two rounds, which followed a third-round demolition of Saul Duran last September in Manchester, NH.
“I took this fight on three week’s notice because I want to fight as often as possible,” Demetrius said. “I’m not making Mayweather money and need to fight to earn a living. I’ve stopped opponents early in my last two fights, so I’m physically ready to come right back. I’ll be prepared and sharp.”
Fighting on this “ESPN Boxing FNF Special Edition” is an added bonus, exposure-wise, for Andrade in his eighth ESPN appearance. “I was surprised and happy to learn that I’d be fighting on ESPN on May 5th,” Andrade added. “I’ve grown as a fighter on ESPN. Fans have watched me improve each fight and ESPN people know I’m a good, entertaining fighter.”
If Andrade stops Cisneros early, he’ll be able to watch the fighter many have compared him to, Mayweather, against Cotto right after the live action concludes at Mohegan Sun.
“I’ll catch the fight if there’s enough time after my interviews and shower,” the rising star concluded. “If not, I’m having it taped, and will watch it later. I like Mayweather in that fight. He’s faster and not concerned with weight. Cotto’s going to try and box but he’s one-dimensional.”
Supporting fights on the Andrade-Cisneros card offers a Nutmeg state flavor, starting with the co-feature, which marks the return of Hartford favorite Addy Irizarry (8-5, 2 KOs). The popular corrections officer at a Conn. prison suffered a fractured ankle in her last fight (November 20, 2010). She battles veteran welterweight Victoria Cisneros in an eight-round bout.
East Hartford super featherweight Joseph “Chip” Perez (7-1, 2 KOs) always brings a large, passionate crowd to his fights in New England. He faces super featherweight Juan Jaramillo (8-9-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round match. Hartford light heavyweight Tylon “Shadow Boi” Burris (1-0, 1 KO) faces pro-debuting Robert Jackson in a four-round bout.
Also fighting on the undercard in four-round matches are Springfield (MA) light heavyweight Reinaldo Graceski (1-0) vs. Borngood Washington, and Windsor (VT) light middleweight Chris Gilbert (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Keuntray Henson (4-4, 1 KO).
Tickets are $75.00, $40.00 and $30.00 (plus $5.00 facility fee for all tickets) and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com; call Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge By Phone number 1.800.745.3000; or visit any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets are also available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, subject to availability, or by calling Star Boxing at 1.718.823.2000 and online via www.StarBoxing.com or www.mehegansun.com.
