Star Boxing will once again showcase one of the most promising boxers in the world, undefeated 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, February 10 against rugged Philadelphian Derek “Pooh” Ennis in a 10-round bout for the vacant North American Boxing Organization (“NABO”) junior middleweight title, headlining an ESPN Friday Night Fights show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
“We’re excited to be going back to beautiful Mohegan Sun for another ESPN Friday Night Fights show with Demetrius Andrade, one of the top young boxers in the world, headlining what will be a very entertaining and competitive card,” Star Boxing president Joe DeGuardia said. “This is going to be a breakout year for Demetrius, who will be fighting close to his family, friends and fans in Providence. Ennis is a tough Philadelphia fighter who figures to give Demetrius the toughest test of his young pro career.”
“We love fight night at Mohegan Sun Arena and it’s a perfect fit when there is an exciting card like this one in our building,” added Thomas L. Cantone, Mohegan Sun, Vice President Sports and Entertainment.
One of the most gifted all-around boxers, Andrade (15-0, 10 KOs) has been favorably compared to a younger, heavier Floyd Mayweather, Jr. because of their similar styles, featuring lightning-quick feet and hands, superior defensive acumen and dominant victories. In Demetrius’ five fights that have gone the distance, for example, he has won 30 of 34 rounds on the scorecards.
The 23-year-old Andrade, fighting only a short drive from his Providence home, was a 2007 World amateur champion who will be fighting for the seventh time on ESPN. In his last two fights, the slick southpaw pitched a near shutout in August en route to a 10-round unanimous decision against veteran Grady Brewer, winner of The Contender II television reality series, and stopped former world title challenger Saul Duran after three rounds last September in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Andrade is rapidly climbing the ratings ladder, ranked in the top 15 of all four major governing bodies: No. 9 by the World Boxing Organization (“WBO”), No. 11 by the International Boxing Federation (“IBF”), No. 13 by the World Boxing Council (“WBC”) and No. 15 by the World Boxing Association (“WBA”).
The Cape Verdean descent star-in-the-making faces his stiffest test to date as a professional in Ennis (23-3-1, 13 KOs), a former USBA title-holder who is rated No. 9 by the IBF. Ennis’ most notable wins were by 12-round decisions in 2009 against world title challenger Ermosele Albert (22-3-1) for the vacant USBA belt and a year later versus Gabriel Rosada (14-4) in a USBA title defense.
Andrade is co-promoted by Star Boxing and Banner Promotions.
The winner of the Andrade-Ennis fight will better position himself for a world title shot against WBO titlist Zaurbek Baysangurov (26-1, 20 KOs), of Russia.
Tickets are $75.00, $40.00 and $30.00 (plus $5.00 facility fee for all tickets) and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com; call Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge By Phone number 1.800.745.3000; or visit any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets are also available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, subject to availability, or by calling Star Boxing at 1.718.823.2000 and online via www.StarBoxing.com.
The Feb. 10 co-feature and undercard bouts will soon be announced.
