Paulie Malignaggi's Insight on Andrade vs. Benavidez "One of Boxing's Tragedies"
The upcoming battle between Demetrius Andrade and David Benavidez for the chance to become Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez's mandatory challenger has been dubbed a potential blockbuster event. Taking place on November 25 as a Showtime PPV event, it's one of the network's final offerings before its departure from boxing. The fight is highly competitive, with Benavidez, a two-time undefeated champion in the super middleweight division, granting Andrade, who recently moved up in weight after capturing titles in two lower divisions, an opportunity to stake his claim as the number one contender. Speaking on Pro Box TV, former world champion Paulie Malignaggi shared his insights on Andrade's career trajectory. He expressed his belief that Andrade had the potential to be the best in the world during his prime. Malignaggi stated, "Let me be real clear: Demetrius Andrade would have beaten your favorite fighter at any point in his prime." He emphasized that Andrade's prime was regrettably marred by missed opportunities and personal choices, leaving many to wonder what could have been. While Andrade's career may not have seen the challenging matchups fans desired, he now faces a significant test against Benavidez. Malignaggi, acknowledging Andrade's age (35) and the wear and tear he has endured over the years, believes Benavidez has the edge and may even secure a stoppage victory. Malignaggi explained, "Andrade definitely is one of the tragic stories of boxing. I don't think he's going to beat Benavidez. I see Benavidez closing very, very strong after an Andrade good start. At 35, 36 it's a lot more difficult to stay strong down the stretch. You're not in your prime." Both Andrade and Benavidez have long coveted a showdown with Canelo, and the winner of their upcoming clash will earn the right to face the Mexican superstar in the first half of 2024. The fight promises to be a compelling step in the journey towards that ultimate prize.
