David Benavidez vs Demetrius Andrade – Results & Post-Fight Report

David Benavidez scored a huge win that will have big rewards for his career, as he forced Demetrius Andrade to retire from battle as he defended his interim WBC super middleweight title at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

It was a meeting of two largely avoided fighters, with Benavidez twice reigning as WBC champion, and this was his third defence of the interim belt, having won it in a third round stoppage of David Lemieux last May. Andrade had struggled with injury and opposition due to his awkward style, and he had previously served as world champion at super welterweight and middleweight, with his last contest a landslide ten round points win against Demond Nicholson in January after a 14-month layoff.

Andrade (32-1, KO19) started well enough, boxing smartly and using movement and elusiveness to land combinations in the first three rounds, but once Benavidez (28-0, KO24) studied his man for long enough, he quickly solved the puzzle. Benavidez cut down the ring in round four, and a clubbing right hand near to the end of the session had Andrade on the canvas. That proved a big turning point, as Benavidez poured the pressure on, hurting Andrade in close quarters in the fifth, with his power proving too much of a problem for ‘Boo-Boo’. The doctor gave Andrade one more round, but he was outgunned, and his corner stopped the fight at the end of the sixth to hand Benavidez an impressive win.

It could well be Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez next for the victor.

On the undercard, Jermall Charlo (33-0, KO22) returned to the ring after a lengthy time away, and recorded a ten round points win against Jose Benavidez Jr (28-3-1, KO19). Charlo won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92.

Subriel Matias (20-1, KO20) kept his impressive knockout record in tact, as he forced Shohjahon Ergashev (23-1, KO20) to retire before the start of the fifth frame. Matias had pummelled his man, and a stoppage looked inevitable, but Ergashev claimed a leg injury, and withdrew from battle. Matias retained his IBF super lightweight crown.

A final round knockdown proved crucial, as Lamont Roach (24-1-1, KO9) took the WBA super featherweight title from Hector Luis Garcia (16-2, KO10) via split decision. Cards of 116-111 and 114-113 won the fight for Roach, with a third judge tallying 114-113 for Garcia.

Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (21-1, KO11) won a ten round eliminator for the WBC super featherweight title with a points win against Pablo Vicente (23-2, KO17). Scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 96-92.

At super lightweight, Michel Rivera (25-1, KO14) took a dominant ten round win on the cards against Sergey Lipinets (17-3-1, KO13), and supoer welterweight talent Vito Mielnicki Jr (16-1, KO11) needed less than a round to deal with Alexis Salazar Flores (25-6, KO10).

In the sole eight round action, Daniel Blancas (8-0, KO4) needed all eight frames to outscore Raiko Santana (10-4, KO6).

In six rounders, Jabin Chollet (9-0, KO7) took a battle of unbeatens against Jorge Perez (6-1, KO2) via split decision, and Curmel Moton (2-0, KO2) halted Hunter Turbyfil (3-1, KO1) inside a round at featherweight.

The four rounders saw Israel Mercado (10-1-1 KO7) win all four rounds at super lightweight against Wesley Rivers (4-4, KO0), and Allen Medina (1-1, KO0) upset Alez Holley (1-1, KO0) at welterweight via majority decision.