Demetrius Andrade will defend his WBO world middleweight title against mandatory challenger 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.
Andrade (29-0 18 KOs) defends his title for the fourth time. ‘Boo Boo’ became a two-weight world 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) fights for his first full world title against Andrade, having met Liam Smith for the interim WBO strap at Super-Welterweight in April 2017, with the Welshman moving to Middleweight after his rematch with Smith and becoming British champion at 160lbs 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 17 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 17. Then it’s whoever wants it. Canelo. GGG. Saunders. Charlo. Plant. I’m here. Undefeated. Two division world champion. Current 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.
Hopefully this wont be another BooBoo boring fight.
Seriously the guy puts me to sleep. Williams likes to cum forward swinging hard so this just might be worthy for a watch.
Andrade is going to run the entire fight… honestly surprised he is still champion and would be surprised if Williams wins. Notice it’s not in Andrade hometown
there’s only a few states that are allowing a lot of fans to sporting events so you can’t read anything into the fact that it is not in his hometown
It’s typical of privileged NABE fighters Andrade and Charlo to constantly fake call out the elite in their division while continuing to fight mis-mandatory after mis-mandatory.
Andrade better realize his boxing clock is ticking at a higher sound now. If he defeats Williams, Andrade’s team should look for a fight against Golovkin, Munguia or Murata. I prefer to see Andrade vs. Jermall or Andrade vs. Golovkin.
Andrade needs more activity/solid victories to better present himself to the boxing world; but it appears Andrade’s boxing style will keep him in freezing weather and deep darkness.
“Andrade’s team should look for a fight against Golovkin, Munguia or Murata”
Andrade been asking for a ‘named’ opponent for the last 5 years. Not sure why fans keep saying the same thing as if he doesnt want bigger fights.
If you managed either of those guys, you mentioned, you woudnt put them in the ring with Andrade neither.
Liam Williams is 28yo and dosent have much to loose is the only reason he’s open to this fight. He gets a shot at the Middleweight title because Andrade cant get a fight with anyone else.
Boo-Boo, another yawner