Demetrius Andrade

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Demetrius Andrade, born on February 26, 1988, in Providence, Rhode Island, was introduced to boxing at a very young age, a path largely influenced by his father, Paul Andrade, who was also a former professional boxer. This familial connection to the sport provided Demetrius with early and extensive exposure to boxing training and culture, setting the stage for a highly disciplined and focused approach to his career.

 

Training began earnestly for Andrade in his early childhood, where he was coached by his father at a local gym. The training sessions were rigorous and comprehensive, ensuring that Demetrius not only learned the technical aspects of boxing but also adopted the mental toughness required to excel in the sport. His father’s guidance was instrumental in nurturing his potential and honing his skills from a tender age.

 

Andrade’s amateur career was marked by numerous achievements that highlighted his prowess in the ring. He quickly became a standout figure in the amateur boxing community, capturing the attention of many with his slick style and powerful performance. A significant highlight of his amateur career was winning the National Golden Gloves in 2005 and 2006, which cemented his reputation as one of the top amateur boxers in the United States.

 

Further adding to his impressive amateur accolades, Demetrius Andrade also won the world amateur championships in 2007, demonstrating his skill on an international stage. This victory was pivotal as it showcased his ability to compete and succeed against some of the best amateur boxers globally. Moreover, Andrade represented the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, reaching the quarterfinals, which was a testament to his skill and determination.

 

Professional Career

 

Demetrius Andrade embarked on his professional boxing journey in October 2008, marking the beginning of a remarkable career filled with triumphs and challenges. In his early fights, he showcased his skill with impressive victories, including a second-round knockout of Patrick Cape and a TKO over Eric Marriott. His Friday Night Fights debut against Tom Joseph in March 2009 resulted in a first-round TKO victory, followed by another quick victory over Arnulfo Javier Romero just two weeks later.

 

The summer of 2013 proved pivotal for Andrade when he faced off against Vanes Martirosyan for the vacant WBO light middleweight title. Despite facing adversity, Andrade emerged victorious with a split decision win, solidifying his status as a top contender in the division.

 

In March 2014, Andrade successfully defended his title against Brian Rose in a dominant performance, further establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the boxing world. His journey continued with negotiations for high-profile fights, including a scheduled bout against Jermell Charlo in December 2014, which was ultimately canceled due to purse issues.

 

Periods of inactivity and contractual disputes punctuated Andrade’s career, but he returned to the ring with determination, eventually capturing the vacant WBO middleweight title in October 2018 with a unanimous decision win over Walter Kautondokwa.

 

Andrade’s reign as a two-weight world champion saw successful title defenses against formidable opponents like Artur Akavov and Maciej Sulecki. Despite challenges and setbacks, Andrade’s skill and resilience have remained unwavering, cementing his legacy as one of the top fighters in the sport.

 

In November 2021, Andrade secured a second-round TKO victory over Jason Quigley, further demonstrating his prowess in the ring. Demetrius followed this up with a win against Desmond Nicholson on January 7, 2023, but unfortunately his winning streak would soon come to end. On November 25, 2023, Andrade suffered his first loss at the hands of David Benavidez.