Andrade’s Trainer Warns Benavidez Over His Fighter’s Power, Matchroom Boxing’s Huge Deal

In today’s boxing news latest headlines, Demetrius Andrade’s trainer, Andre Rozier, has warned David Benavidez that he will have to respect his fighter’s power. 

Benavidez-Andrade

The two boxers are expected to face each other on November 24th, 2023, pending an official announcement.  The ‘Mexican Monster’ is the bigger, heavier and more powerful fighter heading into the bout.

Benavidez has spoken previously about wanting to move up to light heavyweight as the weight cut at super middleweight will not be sustainable long term.

Meanwhile, Andrade’s success has come at 154 and 160 pounds, the divisions that made him a two-weight champion. While ‘Boo Boo’ is known for his high IQ, Rozier has also talked up his fighter’s power. 

Andrade’s Power

“I’m a big fan of David [Benavidez]. He’s a fantastic fighter and athlete. We have to be able to sidetrack his tenacity and his overall aggressiveness. Once we do that and control the atmosphere and not be there for him to inflict punches and combinations, I think you’re going to see a different situation. You have to respect what is. You’re going to have to respect the speed. You’re going to have to respect his punching capability and not discuss or give any ideas on the direction,” Rozier 

In Benavidez’s last fight, Caleb Plant had shown that he was capable of outboxing Benavidez in the first half of the bout. But as the fight wore on, the Mexican closed the distance to break down Plant’s resolve on his way to a unanimous-decision win. And that is something that Andrade will have to avoid by getting Benavidez to respect his power. 

Matchroom’s Deal

Meanwhile, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing has confirmed a deal with Rakuten Ticket, Inc. and NSN (Never Say Never) that will provide a series of fights in Japan. 

According to reports, the agreement will allow Matchroom to hold three fights every year in Japan that will be available to DAZN subscribers globally, with the exception of Asia, for the next three years.

This will include both domestic and international fights in a move that offers an opportunity for DAZN to expand its influence.

The news comes in light of the increasing pressure on DAZN to deliver, following a successful year from their competitors, in particular, Showtime Boxing who have staged numerous big fights.

The Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia fight resulted in the highest gate of this year. Meanwhile, the Errol Spence Jr. vs Terence Crawford fight also drew in a reported 700,000 pay-per-view buys.

And with Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo still to come on September 30th, 2023, Matchroom’s deal will be an attempt to close the gap on a global scale. 

“The future of boxing in Japan is incredibly bright. We are delighted to seal this historic partnership with Rakuten Ticket, Inc and NSN. Japan is an important, strategic market for us to operate in and by bringing our world-class boxing events to this great country, we will not only showcase some of the finest fighters on the planet, but we will help establish some of the country’s leading domestic talents who will undoubtedly prosper on the world’s stage in years to come,” Frank Smith (Matchroom Boxing CEO)