Thoughts on Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade?

What do you all make of this kid 15 fights in?

I remember arguing with someone on this board that Andrade would prove to be a better pro than James Degale (i think it might've been Ishipedia).

I saw quite a bit of Andrade from the beginning as he got on a lot of FNF's and I remember thinking, the definition of suicide is to actually accept a 4 round fight against this young stud who has nothing to fear in getting gassed. So you are basically fighting a 6'1" southpaw destroyer, who throws every punch in the book at you and has an amatuer pedigree to boot.

Well he hasn't proved to be a destroyer, but he's progressed well.

He's not the type of fighter that fans are ganna take to. He's been booed (no pun intended) on a few occassions, because he's not an all out offensive fighter, in fact he's a little too defensive and fights on the back foot a lot.

However that's not a bad thing. I like his temparement, he kind of fights scary (which can be a positive thing). He doesn't take chances.

Good jab, understands range, decent footwork, good counter punching and plays a good game of cat and mouse.

Negatives. He's not dynamic, not good on the inside (although he understands how to clinch and keep people off) and relies on his feet for defense a little too much. Level of comp needs to be stepped up or needs to be more active.

With a few more improvements and refinement, this kid could make some noise.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRrlXowUJlo[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBNWAFqngrU[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zswHAy9oVN0[/ame]

 

At least the crowd will be chanting his name. lol

He is reasonably aggressive tbf, but not ganna be a fan favourite. Just needs to keep winning though and it won't matter.

 

I vaguely remember that, mate. I don't see it as a big deal. I think he just wanted some reassurance and how he was looking.

The mental thing is a good point. He does have that look of fighting a little 'scared' at times, but as i've said that's not always a bad thing. We'll see if he's mentally a little fragile soon enough though. I think he may struggle with someone who understand how to maul him.

Technically he's decent. Bends those knees, good southpaw stance and seems to understand how to get the most of his strengths already. He will understand his identity as he moves along aswell.

 

Noticed he's fighting a guy called Derek Ennis next. A decent fighter from Philly. I've actaully seen him fight in a very exciting, back n forth slugfest at the Blue Horizen (Gofightlive broadcast it, IIRC).

Ennis has good hand speed and decent skills. Kind of reminds me of Antwone Smith or Stevie Forbes a little bit. And like Antwone and Stevie, he can't punch for ****.

Demetrius will have a massive height and reach advantage as well. Noticed also that Ennis was stopped by veteran Barthelemy (who's somewhat similar to Andrade) in two rounds. Not a good look.

 

I think he fights at light middle, mate. Little small for super middleweights. I think he'll have a better career than Degale though.

You're right, it's ganna be good to find out whether it's lack of confidence or his worries about his whiskers. Which to my knowledge hasn't been an issue yet.

It could be telling that they've kept him away from punchers though.

His father is part of his corner, but not the main trainer.

 

Derek Ennis has withdrawn from this weeks FNF's main event against Demetrius Andrade. Apparently he's ill. :twisted: Damn it! I was really looking forward to this. Would've been a good test for Andrade. Now it's a last minute third replacement after the original replacement also pulled out.