Demetrius Andrade vs. Liam Williams - 17 April 2021

[maverick23]

I reckon it will go for around $2m-$2.5m.

Both will helped a little by the stronger £/$ conversion.

[maverick23]

FW might want this.

He might but I don’t really think it’s a big fight over here. Neither Williams or Andrade are known by casual fans but it’s still a good, competitive fight.

It’s not a big fight in the states either but I would have thought Eddie’s DAZN fund is enough to get it.

Eddie seems to think the Americans won’t like it as they’ll have no idea who Williams is and totally underestimate him.

He’s probably right in fairness. Certainly feels more of a trade fight. The yanks will probably see Williams had lost twice to Liam Smith and he’s mainly been beating overmatched brits and think he’s no good whilst most of us on here think differently.

[mickey1975]

Looks like they settled without bids. Williams must be getting good DAZN cash.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Purse bid cancelled as deal is reached for Andrade-Williams

Liam Williams will finally get his chance to become a champion after a deal was agreed for him to challenge WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade. Purse bids were set to be held for the mandatory challenge on Wednesday, but a deal was reached between the two fighters prior to the bids taking place. [Both men are in the top eleven in Boxingtalk's middleweight rankings]. News on a date and location for the fight between Williams and Andrade will be announced in due course. Williams (23-2-1, 18 KOs) has been in top form since moving up to middleweight, with all five of his fights in that division ending in knockout wins.

Williams won the British middleweight title with a stoppage win over Mark Heffron, before following that up with two successful defences, knocking out Joe Mullender and Andrew Robinson. Williams has also made an impact on the international stage during that time, knocking out Karim Achour and Alantez Fox in 2019, with both of those men never being stopped before facing the Welshman.

Andrade (29-0, 18 KOs) won the belt after it was vacated back in 2018, defeating Walter Kautondowka to become champion. Since then, he has made three successful defenses, beating Artur Akavov, Marciej Sulecki, and Luke Keeler.

[margaret thatcher]

nearly 50-50 in this poll! let's throw some hands bois, let's chuck some knuck

[Ruthless-RKO]

“There you have it guys,” Williams tweeted in response to the news. “April in the USA where the [takeover] begins.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

“Pleased to announce terms have been agreed for Demetrius Andrade to face Liam Williams for the WBO World title in the USA,” Eddie Hearn, Andrade’s promoter confirmed via social media on Wednesday. “Full details coming soon!”

[mickey1975]

“Pleased to announce terms have been agreed for Demetrius Andrade to face Liam Williams for the WBO World title in the USA,” Eddie Hearn, Andrade’s promoter confirmed via social media on Wednesday. “Full details coming soon!”

FW wrote similar on FB.

[mickey1975]

Frank wins Denzel Bentley - Felix Cash.

[maverick23]

Frank wins Denzel Bentley - Felix Cash.

Really good fight and probably better value for money for FW than the Andrade/Williams fight.

[BigDoofus]

Frank wins Denzel Bentley - Felix Cash.

Another Matchroom swerve on the way?

[Glass Joe]

[THEBUTCH]

I cannot fathom why so many people think Williams will beat Andrade.

Liam's not good enough. Andrade doesn't set anyone alight but he'll have too many tricks for Williams.

[gregregegg]

How can the fight get made without him knowing. seems weird. Also holy fornicate what was the catchweight? id never heard of the guy he mentioned, but google sugests he is 280lb...

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn: Demetrius Andrade-Liam Williams Set For April 17, Hopefully In Providence

Under normal circumstances, Eddie Hearn would hope to draw a sizable crowd for Demetrius Andrade’s next hometown fight.

The unbeaten WBO middleweight champion’s promoter would settle for whichever reasonable number of fans government officials in Rhode Island will allow for his upcoming title defense. Hearn informed BS.com that he intends to bring Andrade’s mandated title defense against Liam Williams to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Andrade’s hometown of Providence on April 17.

That date is firm for Andrade-Williams to headline a DAZN stream, but the site could change. The Dunkin’ Donuts Center, the home of Providence College’s men’s basketball team and the AHL’s Providence Bruins, is not currently hosting sporting events.

“I’d like to see it in Providence,” Hearn told Boxing Scene. “But again, it depends what opens up. We’ll announce that fight next week. If we can’t do it in Providence, then we’ll come somewhere we can have fans. I don’t wanna go somewhere behind closed doors as we move out of the pandemic. We’ll do it where we can bring fans in, but hopefully we can do it in Providence.”

Hearn announced February 10 that his company, Matchroom Boxing, had reached an agreement with Andrade (29-0, 18 KOs) and Wales’ Williams (23-2-1, 18 KOs). That enabled them to avoid a WBO purse bid scheduled for that day.

If Andrade-Williams lands in Providence, it’d mark the second time in his past three fights that Andrade would defend his WBO 160-pound crown at Dunkin’ Donuts Center. The 33-year-old southpaw soundly defeated Poland’s Maciej Sulecki (29-2, 11 KOs) by unanimous decision in their 12-round fight in June 2019 at that venue.

Wherever they fight, Andrade will end a long layoff when he faces Williams. The 2008 U.S. Olympian hasn’t fought since he stopped Ireland’s Luke Keeler (17-3-1, 5 KOs) in January 2020 at Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami.

Williams knocked out England’s Andrew Robinson (24-5-1, 7 KOs) with a left hook to the body in the first round of his most recent bout, October 10 in Stratford, England. The 28-year-old Williams, the WBO’s second-ranked challenger for Andrade’s championship, has won seven straight fights by knockout or technical knockout since he dropped a 12-round majority decision to England’s Liam Smith (29-2-1, 16 KOs) in November 2017 in Newcastle, England.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Demetrius Andrade-Liam Williams Set For April 17 At Hard Rock In Hollywood, Florida

Boxing Scene has learned that Andrade’s mandated WBO middleweight title defense against Liam Williams will be held April 17 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Eddie Hearn, Andrade’s promoter, explored bringing the DAZN card headlined by Andrade and Williams to Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, the city where Andrade was born and raised.

COVID-19 restrictions in the state of Rhode Island recently eliminated Dunkin Donuts Center as a potential venue.

[brilo33]

the good thing for williams is he knows the fights on , he is a good fighter and has every chance against an akward andrade , last fights i see of williams he looks mean and hungary ,i cant see andrade out boxing williams for 12 rds, williams needs to keep it tight early dont let him frustrated him , then gradually rd3 start putting it on him push him back, he is an awarkard mover andrade for his body ,williams needs to go and go hard 4th to 7th rds take him out definitely capable its winnable and what win it would be , i rememeber tipping liam to beat smith in the 1st fight hope it comes full circle

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Demetrius Andrade will defend his WBO middleweight title against mandatory challenger Liam Williams at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Saturday, April 17th, live on DAZN. Andrade (29-0 18 KOs) defends his title for the fourth time.He became a two-weight ruler when he picked up the vacant strap against Walter Kautondokwa in October 2018 in Boston, and has since seen off Artur Akavov, Maciej Sulecki and Luke Keeler in title defenses. Williams (23-2-1 18 KOs) gets his first title shot against Andrade, having lost to Liam Smith for the interim WBO belt at junior middleweight in April 2017, with the Welshman moving to middleweight after losing his rematch with Smith.

Williams became British middleweight champion before stopping Andrade’s old foe Alantez Fox in five rounds in December 2019.

“Liam Williams, you got what you wanted,” said Andrade. “You ran your mouth, got your rating up and here we go. April 17th your career ends. Or maybe you go back to headlining small club shows in the UK, I don’t know. What I do know is that you’re getting beaten badly and then I’m on to much bigger fights and bigger nights in my career. It’s no secret, this isn’t the fight I wanted, but now it’s here and I will be taking care of business, taking care of Liam Williams in spectacular fashion come April 17th. Then it’s whoever wants it. Canelo Alvarez. GGG [Gennadiy Golovkin]. Billy Joe Saunders. Charlo. Caeb Plant. I’m here. undefeated, two-division champion. Current [WBO] middleweight champion of the world. I dare one of you to say my name.”

“I’ve been quite vocal saying I’ll smash him, and I actually am going to,” said Williams. “I’ve waited for this for too long now, I’m not going to let it slip through my fingers, I’ll grab the opportunity with both hands. I just think he’s a complete weirdo, a very strange man – I’ve watched him for some time, I used to be a bit of a fan of him back then, now I get the chance to share a ring with him and punch his face in and I can’t wait to do it. I’m going to punch lumps out of him, nonstop. The first couple of rounds could be tricky, but I believe that I will get on top of him and start beating him up. I think he might overlook me, possibly. To be honest, maybe he has deserved to get a fight with Canelo, GGG, he’s been World champion for a long time, a two-weight and three-time champion, so he’s probably deserved those fights, but his time is up now and once I deal with him, I’ll get those fights. Have you ever seen me going into my shell in a fight? I don’t think he’s going to have enough in him to make me do that, and let’s not forget, he’s not fought anyone like me. When I start hitting him and hurting him, no-one really knows what he’s going to do. Who’s to say he’s not going to go into his shell?”

“This is a really good fight,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “In America, people don’t realize it’s as good a fight as it is. Liam is a big step-up from Demetrius’ recent opposition, and I think this is the fight ‘Boo Boo’ needs. I like Liam, he’s going to come in with real confidence and swagger and he’ll put it on Demetrius in the build-up, he’s a tough man and he will not take a backwards step against Demetrius, who will need to be at his best to prove he’s the number one Middleweight in the world.”

Early undercard information will be released soon, and no public tickets will be on sale for the show.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Carlos Gongora vs. Christopher Pearson

Carlos Gongora will defend his IBO World Super-Middleweight title against Christopher Pearson as the chief support to Demetrius Andrade’s WBO World Middleweight title defense against Liam Williams at Hard Rock Live at Hard Rock Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida on Saturday April 17 in America, live worldwide on DAZN – with the main event set for 6pm ET/11pm GMT.

Gongora (19-0 14 KOs) returns to the scene of his finest hour, the dramatic 12th round KO of Ali Akhmedov in December, weathering an early storm to put the hotly fancied Kazakh away at the death to land the strap that he puts on the line in three weeks’ time.

The unbeaten two-time Olympian was fighting over 12 rounds for the first time against Akhmedov, and the Ecuadorian now wants to underline his credentials to land the big fights at 168lbs against Pearson (17-2 12 KOs).

Like Gongora, Pearson is entering into the bout on the back of his best win to date after he took the ‘0’ of Olympic gold medal man Yamaguchi Falcao in Las Vegas in May 2019. The Ohio man, a decorated amateur in his own right,

Gongora vs. Pearson leads a stacked card in support of the main event, with Mahammadrasul Majidov back in action and looking for a fourth straight KO win against Andrey Fedosov. Majidov (3-0 3 KOs) landed his third win inside the distance at the same venue in November and the former three-time World Amateur king now steps up into ten round action for the first time in the paid ranks against Fedesov (31-3 25 KOs), with the experienced Russian making a long-awaited return to the ring.

Otha Jones III returns to the ring in a rescheduled eight round clash with Jorge Castaneda. Jones III (5-0-1 2 KOs) was set to meet Castaneda (13-1 11 KOs) on the undercard of the epic rematch between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez in Dallas, TX earlier this month but illness ruled the Ohio talent out. Jones III has gotten over that non-COVID related blip and now steps up his pro journey against the dangerous Texan.

Another fighter stepping up after a shelved fight in the Lone Star state is Arthur Biyarslanov (7-0 6 KOs) as he faces fellow unbeaten man Israel Mercado (9-0 7 KOs). Biyarslanov landed a first round stoppage win is his last outing in November in the same venue and the Canadian now steps into his first eight round contest against the unbeaten Californian who won his first seven fights by KO before going the six and eight round distance in his last two outings.

Alexis Espino (7-0 5 KOs) was impressive in stopping Ashton Sykes in his first fight back in a year in February on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez’s win over Avni Yildirim and the Las Vegas talent returns quickly over six rounds and Florida native Aaron Aponte (2-0 1 KO) returns at the same speed for his third fight over four rounds, both with opponents to be named soon.

“Carlos pulled off a brilliant win in Florida in December, and now is the time for him to build himself into a massive threat in the 168lbs division,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Christopher is no stranger to upsetting the odds as he proved against Falcao, and he’ll look to do something similar again in Florida.

“Mahammadrasul is looking to make waves in the ever-changing Heavyweight division, and the likes of OJ3, Arthur, Alexis and Aaron will want to steal the headlines in the Sunshine State.”

[Counter-puncher]

I'd love to see Liam do well here, I like him and think he's a decent fighter but i think Andrade is a bad match for him stylewise
(as he is for most).

[maverick23]

Rubbish undercard although I quite liked Gongora last time out.

Really looking forward to the main event.

[NoScoutingReports]

Gongora v Akhmedov was quality!

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Demetrius Andrade discusses future plans on Last Stand Podcast

Andrade explains his decision to align with Matchroom/DAZN instead of PBC while touching on a number of other topics.



Middleweight titleholder Demetrius Andrade is the latest fight to appear on Brian Custer’s Last Stand Podcast and responds a numbers of topics ranging from his decision to sign with Matchroom over PBC, still wanting to fight Billy Joe Saunders, and his intention to move up to super middleweight after his next fight. Check out some excerpts from the interview below.

Andrade on Liam Williams

“Liam Williams is not someone who’s on my radar, just speaking facts because at the end of the day he’s not an elite fighter, elite level guy that people tune into. For him to earn his spot and (Jaime) Munguia, who really was my number one guy to turn down to fight me, and he’s number two now. Williams is not going to stop this train, I expect him to bring a fight because this is his opportunity to make something of himself, his name, but at the end of the day you get to say I lost to Demetrius Andrade.”

On why the fight with Billy Joe Saunders didn’t happen

“Smoke and mirrors on Billy Joe’s side. He went out there and said I’ll fight Demetrius, he didn’t want to wait on Canelo until May, and pretty much just used my name for leverage to make the deal, meaning yo we want this much money or we’re going to fight Demetrius Andrade. We know you really don’t want to fight Demetrius Andrade and the possibilities of us losing is high fighting Demetrius Andrade, and you said you want to unify the belt, so here’s your opportunity.”

On why he signed with Matchroom & DAZN and not the PBC

“Where were the middleweights going and the rumors were DAZN….Me going to the PBC, what are the other really big names in the middleweight division, who can I actually get in the ring with? And now, yes you have the Charlo brothers, Caleb Plant, David Benavidez. Cool, they are definitely elite guys, but over on this side you have the elite money makers, you got Canelo, you got Triple G, you got myself, Billy Joe Saunders now, you got variety of more elite guys that’s going to bring in more money on top of it.

On the criticism he doesn’t fight elite opponents

“I’m stuck in a situation where I’m going to fight whoever is in front of me and may the opportunity comes, when it comes I can fight one of these elite guys and show people what skills I have versus another elite guy.”

Andrade on moving up to Super Middleweight

“After this fight, I’ll move up to 168 to fight somebody. At the end of the day, we don’t get no younger, we can’t stay skinny/slim forever, we do put on weight, muscle and mass. I’m a middleweight and for me a middleweight is 154-168, but I can never get back down to 154.”

Andrade on Billy Joe Saunders

“He’s a cheat, he’s a liar, he’s a disgrace, and I can’t wait because if I could possibly put these hands on him, I’m going to f*ck him up!”

[handsofstone]

This is a cracking fight, ive been praying this comes off, surprised it was made actually, , stylistically I think it will gel well, both need a step up and a real test, Williams has looked a monster at Middleweight but lets be fair its solid domestic form, he bulldozed Fox who took Andrade the distance so its a slight gauge, Andrade just bores the fcvk out of me, his opposition and style is poverty to watch, he is a classy boxer though and maybe has what it takes to beat the elite but for an unbeaten 2 weight world champ he's totally uninteresting


Andrade wont get props over the pond for beating Williams but its still a great fight and Williams will give him a test, Andrade is polar opposite to Beefy, i think Andrade's style is made for Williams tbh, Williams can break and bust Andrade up, we'll find out how Andrade can cope in a dogfight

fornicate it Williams by stoppage