Derek Ennis trying to use unbeaten 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade as springboard
Philadelphia junior middleweight Derek “Pooh” Ennis plans to use unbeaten 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade as a springboard February 10 in their main event fight for the vacant North American Boxing Organization (“NABO”) title.
Andrade-Ennis headlines the Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing show on ESPN Friday Night Fights at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The 10-round bout has future world title belt implications for the winner.
Andrade (15-0, 10 KOs), fighting out of nearby Providence, in addition to being an Olympian, also was the 2007 World Amateur Championships gold-medal winner, the first American to do so since 1999. Fighting Feb. 10 on ESPN for the ninth time in his three-year professional career, the 23-year-old Andrade has been so dominating he has won 55 of the 59 rounds fought on the judges’ scorecards
Andrade is rapidly climbing the ratings ladder, currently ranked in the top 15 of all four major governing bodies: No. 9 by the World Boxing Organization (“WBO”), No. 13 by the International Boxing Federation (“IBF”) and World Boxing Council (“WBC”) and No. 15 by the World Boxing Association (“WBA”). He is co-promoted by Star Boxing and Banner Promotions.
The confident 5′ 8″ Ennis (23-3-1, 13 KOs), a former USBA title-holder who is rated No. 9 by the IBF, believes a victory against Andrade will put him right back into the junior middleweight picture. “I’m just looking at this as another fight,” Ennis said. “But, as soon as I beat him, I’m right back on top. I really don’t know too much about him other than he’s tall (6′ 1”) and a southpaw.
“Coming from Philly, I have a good name or persona, so everybody knows I’m coming to fight. People are going to see a lot of speed and pressure put on by me in a world-class fight.”
Ennis’ most significant victory to date was against another relatively tall Olympian, 6′ 1″ world title challenger Ermosele Albert (22-3-1), of Nigeria, by way of a12-round decisions in 2009 for the vacant USBA championship.
“This fight is a great opportunity for us,” Ennis’ co-manager Moe Gonzalez (E & M Management) noted. “We know he’s in tough against this kid, but Derek is tough, too. They better not think they have a cakewalk, Derek is coming to fight. He doesn’t have problems with southpaws or taller guys. Derek really gets up for fights like this and he’ll be ready.”
Tickets are $75.00, $40.00 and $30.00 (plus $5.00 facility fee for all tickets) and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. The Feb. 10 co-feature and undercard bouts are being finalized and will soon be announced.
