WBO Interim Super Middleweight Championship Contest – Purse Bid Zach Parker vs. Demetrius Andrade

WBO Interim Super Middleweight Championship Contest – Purse Bid Zach Parker vs. Demetrius Andrade

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WBO Middleweight Division – Mandatory Challenger Designation Request Zhanibek Alimkhanuly

Letter received (Sunday, November 21, 2021)
To: Mr. President Francisco Paco Valcarcel
From: Egis Klimas / Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s Manager

Dear WBO President,

Truly Yours,
Egis Klimas
Manager

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Demetrius Andrade will defend his WBO World Middleweight title against mandatory challenger Liam Williams at Hard Rock Live at Hard Rock Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida on Saturday April 17 in America, live worldwide on DAZN – with the main event set for 6pm ET/11pm GMT.

Andrade (29-0 18 KOs) defends his title for the fourth time. ‘Boo Boo’ became a two-weight World ruler when he picked up the vacant strap against Walter Kautondokwa in October 2018 in Boston, and has since seen off Artur Akavov, Maciej Sulecki and Luke Keeler in title defenses.

Williams (23-2-1 18 KOs) fights for his first full World title against Andrade, having met Liam Smith for the interim WBO strap at Super-Welterweight in April 2017, with the Welshman moving to Middleweight after his rematch with Smith and becoming British champion at 160lbs before stopping Andrade’s old foe Alantez Fox in five rounds in December 2019.

“Liam Williams, you got what you wanted,” said Andrade. “You ran your mouth, got your rating up and here we go. April 17 your career ends. Or maybe you go back to headlining small club shows in the UK I don’t know. What I do know is that you’re getting beaten badly and then I’m on to much bigger fights and bigger nights in my career.

“It’s no secret, this isn’t the fight I wanted, but now it’s here and I will be taking care of business, taking care of Liam Williams in spectacular fashion come April 17. Then it’s whoever wants it. Canelo. GGG. Saunders. Charlo. Plant. I’m here. Undefeated. Two division World champion. Current middleweight champion of the world. I dare one of you to say my name.”

“I’ve been quite vocal saying I’ll smash him, and I actually am going to,” said Williams. “I’ve waited for this for too long now, I’m not going to let it slip through my fingers, I’ll grab the opportunity with both hands.

“I just think he’s a complete weirdo, a very strange man – I’ve watched him for some time, I used to be a bit of a fan of him back then, now I get the chance to share a ring with him and punch his face in and I can’t wait to do it. I’m going to punch lumps out of him, nonstop.

“The first couple of rounds could be tricky, but I believe that I will get on top of him and start beating him up.

“I think he might overlook me, possibly. To be honest, maybe he has deserved to get a fight with Canelo, GGG, he’s been World champion for a long time, a two-weight and three-time champion, so he’s probably deserved those fights, but his time is up now and once I deal with him, I’ll get those fights.

“Have you ever seen me going into my shell in a fight? I don’t think he’s going to have enough in him to make me do that, and let’s not forget, he’s not fought anyone like me. When I start hitting him and hurting him, no-one really knows what he’s going to do. Who’s to say he’s not going to go into his shell?”

“This is a really good fight,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “In America, people don’t realize it’s as good a fight as it is. Liam is a big step-up from Demetrius’ recent opposition, and I think this is the fight ‘Boo Boo’ needs. I like Liam, he’s going to come in with real confidence and swagger and he’ll put it on Demetrius in the build-up, he’s a tough man and he will not take a backwards step against Demetrius, who will need to be at his best to prove he’s the number one Middleweight in the world.”

Early undercard information will be released soon, and no public tickets will be on sale for the show. Open the Canadian casino website and play free online slots or poker.

Williams, 28, has bludgeoned his way into mandatory position for a shot at the WBO World Title held by Demetrius Andrade off the back of four blistering wins since stepping up to middleweight in December 2018 and becoming a two-weight British champion following a one-sided demolition of the previously unbeaten Mark Heffron.

He made a further defence three months later and landed a clinically executed knockout of Joe Mullender in the second round, before stopping the never before stopped tough campaigner Karim Achour in the summer of last year.

Williams rounded off 2019 by knocking the previously No.1 ranked Alantez Fox off his feet and his perch in the fifth round of a magnificent display of clinical brutality against the confident American, whose only loss prior to meeting the Welshman was on points to Andrade.

The Clydach Vale man (22-2-1) is now eagerly awaiting news of a soon-to-be scheduled purse bid for his challenge to Andrade and to discover whether the champion accepts his mandatory or vacates.

“I am happy to have mapped out my future and my entire focus is on getting my world title shot and winning it,” said Williams in reaction to his new deal.

“I am so looking forward to the fight being made and becoming world champion. That is all that matters to me right now.

“We have been good for each other. Frank has delivered the fights to take me to mandatory position and I have done my side by winning them in the way I have. Nobody could ever say there has been any sort of failing on either side.

NEWS: Joshafat Ortiz vs. Joshua Orta this Thursday LIVE on ESPN
“It has all been good, I am happy and looking forward to moving forward.”

Promoter Frank Warren added: “I am delighted Liam has committed to us for the long-term and I am convinced we will soon have a world middleweight champion on our books.

“We have provided the opportunities for him since he moved up to 160lbs and he has taken them and furthered his career in a way few would have imagined. He has taken the division by storm.

“He is fast becoming a bone-fide star at the weight with his style of fighting and the way he goes about his business.

“Hopefully we will have his world title shot nailed down as soon as possible and I am sure it will be the first of many big world title nights for Liam moving forward.”

💥TONIGHT December 28th – Vacant WBO NABO Jr. Featherweight Championship: Angelo Leo Vs. César Juarez @ State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia.

💥Five WBO Bouts on December 31st @ Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan:

Main Event – WBO Jr. Bantamweight World Champion Kazuto Ioka Vs. Jeyvier Cintron

Co-Main Event – WBO Flyweight World Champion Kosei Tanaka Vs. Wulan Tuolehazi

WBO Jr. Bantamweight Female World Champion Miyo Yoshida Vs. Li Ping Shi

Vacant WBO Asia Pacific Jr. Featherweight Championship: Yusaku Kuga vs. Jhunriel Ramonal

WBO Mini-Flyweight Asia Pacific Champion Ginjiro Shigeoka Vs. Rey Loreto

💥January 10, 2020 – For vacant WBO Jr. Middleweight Female Championship Claressa Shields Vs. Ivana Habazin @ Ocean Resort Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.

💥January 11, 2020 – Vacant NABO Light Heavyweight Championship title Jesse Hart vs. Joe Smith, Jr. @ Mark G Etess Arena, Atlantic City, NJ.

💥January 18, 2020 – Vacant WBO Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Eleider Alvarez vs. Michael Seals @ Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, NY

Also, WBO Asia Pacific Jr. Middleweight Champion Takeshi Inoue Vs. Cheng Su @ Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan.

💥January 30, 2020 – WBO Middleweight World Champion Demetrius Andrade Vs. Luke Keeler @ Meridian at Island Gardens, Miami, Florida.

💥February 1, 2020 – Unified WBO Jr. Welterweight Champion José Ramirez Vs. Viktor Postol @ Mission Hills Haikou, Haikou, China.

💥February 20, 2020 – WBO NABO Jr. Welterweight Champion Yomar Alamo Vs. Kendo Castaneda @ Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, Florida.

💥February 20, 2020 – Vacant WBO European Featherweight Championship David Oliver Joyce Vs. Lee Haskins @ Ulster Hall, Belfast.

More to come…

Undefeated Middleweight star Demetrius Andrade (28-0, 17 KOs) will defend his WBO World Middleweight Championship against contender Luke Keeler (17-2-1, 5 KOs) at Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami on Thursday January 30, live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK.

Andrade, 31, looks to successfully defend his piece of the middleweight title for the third time as massive unification fights loom in 2020. Following his homecoming debut in front of a packed crowd in Providence, Rhode Island, Andrade continues to stay active and take on all challengers following an impressive 2019. Standing in his way is Keeler, 32, of Dublin, Ireland. The former WBO European Middleweight Champion bested top contender Luis Arias in August, and will aim to make a statement in his U.S. debut against Andrade.

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring again finally! It’s a great opportunity to show the world my talents and to be part of Super Bowl weekend in Miami is incredible,” said Andrade. “Miami is a beautiful city and I’m looking to once again showing that I’m the best 160-pound fighter in the world. It’s me again!

“There are major fights for me in the Middleweight division,” Andrade continued. “Those are the fights I want and I’ve been very vocal about it. At the end of the day, I just need to keep winning. They can’t avoid me forever. On January 30, we have to take care of business against Luke Keeler. He’s tough and he’s coming to fight, which will make for a great night of action for the fans in Miami and everyone else watching around the world on DAZN.”

“Demetrius is a great fighter and I understand I’ll be written off as a huge underdog but it’s exactly how I like it, there isn’t a drop of pressure on me,” said Keeler. “It feels surreal in a way but at the same time, I’ve always visualized it so in a way I expected this opportunity to come. Again, there is no pressure on me at all. I’ll have nerves like every fight but I’m going to enjoy every moment, bounce to the ring and pull off the upset.

“It’s a life changing fight and winning brings life-changing paydays but I would’ve taken this fight for free to be in the position that comes with winning,” stated Keeler. “It puts me right up there for fights with Gennadiy Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez.”

DAZN presents Miami Fight Night, brought to you by Matchroom Boxing USA will be held at Meridian at Island Gardens. Meridian is a 65,000 square-foot custom built multi-level premier live event and entertainment experience that will play host to additional VIP events. DAZN and Matchroom Boxing USA will kick off the big week at Meridian as the first of three nights of entertainment leading into Sunday.

Tickets will go on sale tomorrow at www.ticketmaster.com. More details on the special night of boxing from Miami to be announced soon.

Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA

Luis Batista-Salas, Esq.
Chairman
Championship Committee

1056 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00927
Ph: +1 (787) 765-4444 * Fax: +1 (787) 758-9053
E-mail: lbs@wboboxing.com * Website: www.wboboxing.com

October 2nd, 2019

Re: WBO MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP NEGOTIATION LETTER
DEMETRIUS ANDRADE vs. STEVEN BUTLER
Gentlemen:

Please be advised the parties have thirty (30) days to negotiate an agreement for the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between Demetrius Andrade vs. Steven Butler. If an accord is not reached within the time frame, a Purse Bid will be ordered.

The minimum acceptable bid for the Middleweight division is $200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars).

Anyone of the parties involved may call for a purse bid at any time during the Negotiation process.

Yours truly,

Luis Batista Salas, Esq.

C/c Francisco Valcárcel, Esq.

Demetrius Andrade vs. Steven Butler PDF

Demetrius Andrade believes his big homecoming night will be the perfect showcase to secure blockbuster fights as he defends his WBO World Middleweight title against Maciej Sulecki on Saturday June 29 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

Andrade (27-0 17 KOs) fights at home for the first time as a World champion in the second defense of the 160lb crown he landed in Boston in October against Walter Kautondokwa and then stopped Artur Akavov in New York in January in his first defense.

The two-weight World ruler now gets the chance to thrill his hometown fans against Sulecki (28-1 11 KOs), the Pole that landed the clash coming out on top of a rollercoaster clash with Gabriel Rosado in March – and believes that a stand-out performance as a hometown headliner will see him land the fights that he craves with Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin.

“Fighting at home is really exciting,” said Andrade. “In a way it’s more exciting for the fans in Providence as I’ve fought all over the world already. So, to give my hometown the chance to watch me display my skills, talent, work ethic is going to be great for them – they’re going to see greatness from one of their own. I’ve got two full passports from travelling the world and it’s a privilege to do that, to see the world and learn and gain experience, so to come home for such a big fight is great.

“I’m an Olympian and a two-weight World champion, but that’s not enough because there’s a lot of people that haven’t seen my talent displayed in the mainstream like some other fighters, like Canelo Alvarez, as Golden Boy did a great job moving him and GGG had great promotion too, but they’re not the greatest talents out there, they are just the most popular. It’s called prize fighting and I am looking to capitalize on that, with the capital.

“I’ve got air in me now. Should I have been the guy like Canelo with the machine behind him? Yeah, I could’ve been that, but it didn’t fall that way for me, but now I’m here. I kept my focus in mind, body and soul and continued to grind, because anyone else, this boxing game is hard and people give up, especially when there’s no money coming in as you have to pay the bills.

“I’ve been through the politics of boing and found my way out of it, just like I’ve found my way to win in every fight. Being who I am and having the team around me has got me to the point where I’m headlining the Dunk as an undefeated World champion.

“Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing USA have realized the talent and the character that I am, and DAZN are doing a great job too, giving the different characters in the sport the exposure so that people can tune in outside the people we already know. Through the obstacles I’ve been through, they tried to sweep me under the rug, I got back up, wiped off the dirt and it’s me again.

“To be the first Cape Verdean as an undisputed champion would be history and the same for New England, we’ve only really had Vinny Paz and that was 30 years ago. I’m continuing to catapult myself to be the best I can and set the bar high for others.”

Andrade’s clash with Sulecki is part of a blockbuster night of World championship boxing as Briton’s Kal Yafai defends his WBA World Super-Flyweight title against mandatory challenger Norbelto Jimenez and former Heavyweight king Joseph Parker takes on Australian former World title challenger Alex Leapai.

Boston’s Mark DeLuca faces Canadian Brandon Brewer over ten rounds at Super-Welterweight, young talents Alexis Espino and Raymond Ford taste their third action in the paid ranks, local favorite Anthony Marsella faces Jose Aubel, with another unbeaten Providence fighter Anthony Concepcion also featuring.

Tickets are on sale NOW – starting at just $28 (including fees) from https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/010056AAED7788D1?brand=dunkindonuts&camefrom=cfc_dd_center_boxing19_web

PHOTO VIA Matchroom Boxing

ANDRADE AND SULECKI DRAW BATTLE LINES IN PROVIDENCE

Demetrius Andrade and Maciej Sulecki came face-to-face for the first time as they prepare to clash in Andrade’s first hometown fight and second defense of his WBO World Middleweight title at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday June 29, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

Andrade (27-0 17 KOs) has had to wait to top the bill in his Providence backyard but does so in the most important fight of his spotless career – with promoter Eddie Hearn rightly calling ‘Boo Boo’s’ WBO strap the missing piece of the undisputed puzzle at 160lbs.

The two-time two-weight World ruler has made no secret of his desire to fight WBA, WBC, IBF and Ring magazine king Canelo Alvarez for all the marbles, so victory against the rugged Pole is a must on June 29.
Sulecki (28-1 11 KOs) has promised to rip the title from Andrade and launch himself into that A1 position himself, and the 30 year old showed both his ability, desire and heart in a rollercoaster clash with Gabriel Rosado in Philadelphia in March.

FACE OFF 👊 #AndradeSulecki @BooBooAndrade vs @SuleckiMaciej pic.twitter.com/wHWTlyT9iS

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) May 22, 2019

That win landed Sulecki the shot at Andrade, but the champion believes that this is a breakout fight for him and the challengers style will provide him with the perfect showcase for his undisputed credentials.

“It’s that time – Providence, Rhode Island – wow,” said Andrade. “It’s my homecoming, it’s an exciting moment for me, my family and my team. It’s a great honor to be headlining at home.

“Maciej is a good fighter, there’s no doubt. He’s had some tough grueling fights, he’s shown balls to win, but on June 29 that won’t happen. I’ve got an answer for everything he brings and this is my time – he’s got this far, but he goes no further – no one is stopping this train.

“I’ve been through a lot, people see me smiling but I’ve had to fight hard to be World champion, twice, and now I’ve got the chance to show my people what I do. The wolf is coming out, I’m breaking bones and biting hard – Sulecki comes to fight ad that’s what I want, he’s going to show my skills off and show that I am the man in this division.”

“I want to thank the Polish fans and American fans for supporting me,” said Sulecki. “I am here because I want to win this fight and I will be 100 per cent ready. He’s a good fighter, a two-time World champion, but he’s not boxed anyone as good as me. It’s my dream to be World champion and on June 29 that dream comes true.”

“The WBO is the final link to undisputed,” said Hearn. “There’s a guy called Canelo with the other belts but you cannot be undisputed without this belt, and the winner on June 29 takes a step closer to being undisputed.

“Demetrius has been searching for that fighter that comes to fight – and Maciej comes to fight every time. He will never, ever go into his shell, he’s coming to fight for every second of the 12 three-minute World championship rounds.

“I have wanted to bring a fight to Dunkin’ Donuts since we signed Demetrius and this is the first World title fight in Rhode Island in 28 years – we need the city to get behind this event and this great Providence fighter, this is your opportunity to come out and support an elite fighter that is one of your own.

“There will be a great undercard announced next week in support of this brilliant World title fight, with another World title fight and a big Heavyweight title fight plus lots of young talents and local favorites.”

Demetrius Andrade will defend his WBO World Middleweight title against Maciej Sulecki on Saturday June 29 at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Rhode Island, Providence live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

Andrade (27-0 17 KOs) defends his title for the second time in his first ever hometown show having seen off the challenge of Artur Akavov with a final round stoppage in New York in January, having become a two-weight World ruler in October in Boston, landing the vacant strap with a wide points win over rugged South African Walter Kautondokwa.

Sulecki (28-1 11 KOs) enters the bout on the back of a thrilling encounter with Gabriel Rosado in Philadelphia in March, edging out the local favorite in a back-and-forth classic for the WBO International title. The Pole, ranked number three with the WBO, fights for a World title for the first time in his career, but has already served notice of his threat level having taken IBF king Daniel Jacobs the distance when they met in April 2018.

Andrade announced the fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as Jacobs and Canelo Alvarez meet in a unification blockbuster live on DAZN.

“After tonight, there will be one guy with three of the belts, and I’ve got the fourth,” said Andrade. “Both guys (Alvarez and Jacobs) have been very vocal about wanting to unify after this fight, so let’s make it happen.

“We all feel that we are the best in the division, and there is only one way to find that out. I wish both Canelo and Danny well tonight, but they better know I’m there watching with a purpose.

“Sulecki is one of the top guys in the division, and his only loss is to Danny, in a fight where he gave Danny problems. You can’t overlook this guy. He has earned this shot, and I am expecting him to bring it. That being said, I am the best 160-pounder in the sport, and I plan on showing every single aspect of that come June 29. This is my time.”

“Last Thursday I turned 30, so to fight for a World title is the best birthday gift for me,” said Sulecki. “I am in the most important moment of my career. I believe I can win and all the best is ahead of me. I think next five years can be the best in my boxing life so I must grasp it.”

“Demetrius is in the most golden position ever,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “You are the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle for the undisputed title. So just keep winning. Sulecki will give him a chance to look good, in my opinion. He needs a fighter that comes to fight.

“Hopefully, we can fill up the Dunkin Donuts Center and make it a big deal, and he can start getting some credibility and profile and say, ‘I’m not just a B-side. I’m the link to the undisputed title.’”

An announcement on ticket sales will be made next week.

BY MICHAEL WOODS

NEW YORK – Demetrius Andrade believes himself to be at the top of the pile at 160 pounds, and he is keen to get in with persons who pundits rate even a notch higher than he, like the Canelos, and the Golovkins. But on this night, an Akavov would have to do.

Andrade, one of the top pugilists to come out of New England in the last few decades, entered the ring at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden Friday night in possession of the WBO 160 pound crown. And he exited with the same strap after notching a stoppage win over Artur Akavov.

The end came when ref Arthur Mercante Jr. pulled the plug at 2:36 of round 12. There were 4,748 in the building, and most in the building didn’t seem to be on board with Mercante’s call.

I had the honor of headlining at @TheGarden in NYC on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday week, so I was inspired to put MLK and I HAVE A DREAM on my @Everlast_ fight uniform. I appreciate what Martin Luther King Jr did for me and the world. Happy #MLKDay everyone!! #ATeam pic.twitter.com/wJBUxUoJrB

— Demetrius Andrade (@BooBooAndrade) January 21, 2019

Akavov was upset with the call, but he showed more passion in the protest than he did during the fight.

Jan 18, 2019; New York, NY, USA; WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade and challenger Artur Akavov during their fight at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA

A right hook landed on Akavov, causing him to back up. Andrade went after him, landed another right hook, clean, but it didn’t seem to buzz him. Nevertheless, Mercante stepped in, and said it was over. He tried to explain his reasoning to the Russian, who wasn’t having it at all.

Each judge gave Akavov a single round, the cards showed.

The 26-0 (16 KOs) Andrade, repping his native Rhode Island, is 30 years old; the 33 year old Akavov, known as The Wolverine, was best known for performing above expectations in a loss, to Billie Joe Saunders in 2016.

In the first, Andrade had the speed and sharpness edge. In the second, Andrade took it to his fellow lefty; his jab was on point, and he looked to land clean with the long left as well. His work underneath impressed many in the stands. Akavov hadn’t yet figured out what in his arsenal would counter Boo Boo’s strengths.

In the third, he didn’t figure that out either. In the fourth, Andrade was still in total control. He had to work hard to dodge and slip shots when Andrade went into flurry mode late.

In the eighth, Akavov pushed at Boo Boo, went into another mode, that being aggressive. Then he went back to passivity.

In the tenth, we saw blood on the Russian. That perked up Boo Boo, but Akavov was peppy enough to defend smartly, mostly.

In the 11th, Boo Boo pumped a jab, politely stalked, and was cruising to victory when the fight was halted.

Woods, a Brooklyn resident, was a staff writer at NY Newsday, before joining ESPN The Magazne (2003-2011). He edited TheSweetScience.com (2007-20015), publishes NYFights.com, calls fights for Facebook Fightnight Live and does the “Talkbox” podcast for Everlast.

https://www.ringtv.com/552648-demetrius-andrade-stops-artur-akavov-in-12-retains-wbo-middleweight-belt/

Photo by Ed MulHolland

By Jake Donovan –

Demetrius Andrade and Artur Akavov are locked and loaded for DAZN USA’s first offering of the new year.

Both boxers easily made weight ahead of their scheduled 12-round middleweight title clash, which takes place Friday evening at Hulu Theatre in New York City.

Andrade tipped the scales at a fighting fit 159.8 pounds for his first title defense; Akavov came in right at the 160-pound middleweight limit his second title fight opportunity.

The bout will headline a nine-fight card—including three title fights—which will air live on sports streaming service DAZN USA.

For Andrade (26-0, 16KOs), it’s a welcomed interruption to an old schedule where the unbeaten Providence native would experience massive gaps of inactivity in his career. The 2008 U.S. Olympian and two-division titlist now fights for the second time in three months, claiming his 160-pind title in a shutout win over Walter Kautondokwa last October in Boston.

Akavov (19-2, 8KOs) enters the fight having won five straight since a narrow points loss to then-middleweight titlist Billy Joe Saunders in Dec. ’16.

The evening’s chief support was among the show’s latest additions, with TJ Doheny set to make the first defense of his super bantamweight title versus Japan’s Ryohei Takahashi.

Ireland’s Doheny—who traveled to Japan for a 12-round title winning effort over Ryosuke Iwasa—clocked in at 121.75 pounds. Takahashi (22-3-1, 16KOs) weighed 121.8 pounds for his first title fight, which also comes in his U.S. debut.

In the third title fight of the night, history-making Amanda Serrano (35-1-1, 26KOs) moves down an unheard-of SIX weight divisions for her 115-pound vacant title tilt versus Austria’s Eva Voraberger.

Serrano checked in at a chiseled 114.2 pounds, just four months after winning a title at the 140-pound super lightweight division. The win netted her a title in a record-breaking sixth weight division, with a victory on Friday putting her in exclusive company with Manny Pacquiao as the only boxers ever to claim major titles in seven or more weight divisions (Pacquiao has done so in eight).

Voraberger (24-5, 11KOs) hopes to disrupt those plans. The 28-year old also had to move down in weight, dropping one division from bantamweight—where she holds an interim title—to weigh 114.8 pounds for Friday’s tall order.

Two more bouts on the show could very well provide the respective winners with title fights of their own in the very near future.

Former three-division titlist Jorge Linares weighed 139.4 pounds for his second fight at super lightweight, following his title-losing effort to pound-for-pound entrant Vasiliy Lomachenko last May. His opponent, veteran contender Pablo Cesar Cano clocked in at 139.6 pounds for their 12-round bout.

The winner is being teased as a potential future option for unbeaten 140-pound titlist Maurice Hooker. Interestingly the same promise has been made to whomever prevails in a 10-round battle between New Yorkers Chris Algieri and Daniel Gonzalez

Algeiri, a former 140-pound titlist who returned last November filing more than two years away from the ring—weighed 140 pounds. His opponent and longtime sparring partner, Queens’ Gonzalez weighed 139.4 pounds.

FULL WEIGHTS

Demetrius Andrade , lbs. vs. Artur Akavov , lbs.—12 rds, middleweight

Jorge Linares, 139.4 lbs. vs. Pablo Cesar Cano, 139.6 lbs.—12 rds, super lightweight

TJ Doheny, 121.75 lbs. vs. Ryohei Takahashi, 121.8 lbs.—12 rds, super bantamweight

Amanda Serrano, 114.2 lbs. vs. Eva Voraberger, 114.8 lbs.–10 rds, super flyweight

Chris Algieri, 140 lbs. vs. Daniel Gonzalez, 139.4 lbs.—10 rds, super lightweight

Julian Sosa, 147.8 lbs. vs. Dieumerci Nzau, 146 lbs.—6 rds, welterweight

Nkosi Solomon, 227.2 , lbs. vs. Rodriguez Cade, 293.2 lbs.—4 rds, heavyweight

Reshat Mati, 145.4 lbs. vs. Benjamin Borteye, 143.6 lbs.—4 rds, welterweight

http://www.boxingscene.com/weights-from-new-york-city-andrade-1598-akavov-160–135467?print_friendly=1

Demetrius Andrade has vowed to dominate the Middleweight division in 2019 – starting with the first defense of his WBO World title against Artur Akavov on Friday January 18 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM WWW.MSG.COM – TICKETS START AT $46!

Andrade (26-0 16KOs) puts his WBO 160lb crown on the line for the first time against the Russian in New York, and the two-weight World ruler is eager to kick off 2019 with a bang having returned to the ring in style in 2018.

The Rhode Island star picked up the WBO crown with a commanding win over Walter Kautondokwa in Boston in October, flooring the undefeated African dangerman four times in the opening four rounds in his first fight in a year and his first title bout at 160lbs.

Andrade steps straight back into action and face-to-face with the ‘Wolverine’ Akavov (19-2 8KOs), who fights for the strap for the second time having ran previous incumbent Billy Joe Saunders close for the belt December 2016 in Glasgow.

‘Boo Boo’ knows that Akavov will put it all on the line in the Big Apple, but the champion wants to lay down a marker as the first of the Middleweight World champions to fight in 2019 – and he plans to prove that he will emerge as the top dog in a talent-heavy division with Canelo Alvarez, Daniel Jacobs, Gennady Golovkin, Jermall Charlo and Saunders amongst the huge names there for big fights.

“I’m out there trying to fight the undefeated guys, the champions, that’s what I want,” said Andrade. “I get in there with anyone at 160lbs – and I beat them all. It’s the time for the elite to fight each in 2019, people want to see me fight the big names and I want them.

“It’s going to happen, I am here, I’ve got the World title and I want the best. Akavov is coming to New York to take that title from me so I know that I have to be on my game as he’s a dangerous man, but trust me, when I shine on January 18, we’re going for all the big names next.

“My first fight was meant to be Saunders – an undefeated champion – and then I beat another undefeated fighter to win the title. That’s what I am about and that’s what I want my year to be, champion vs. champion, Demetrius Andrade vs. the best out there.”

Andrade clashes with Akavov on a huge night of action in New York, with a second World title bout on the card sees Amanda Serrano (35-1-1 26KOs) gunning for history as she looks to land World honors in an extraordinary seventh weight class as she meets WBC and IBF World Super-Flyweight champion Eva Voraberger (24-5 11KOs) – the Austrian tasked with stopping Serrano’s bid for glory.

Victor Conte’s SNAC facility in San Carlos, CA, is hosting three elite training camps. Demetrius Andrade, Devin Haney and Daniel Jacobs are working extremely hard at the state-of-the-art training center.

SNAC’s world-renowned track coach and living legend Remi Korchemny, one of the best elite performance trainers, is providing the camps with his unique training drills and techniques.

Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (25-0, 16 KOs) is trained by his father, Paul Andrade. On October 20th, he challenges undefeated foe, Billy Joe Saunders (26-0, 12 KOs), for his World Boxing Organization Middleweight Title at the TD Garden in Boston, MA, live on Sky Sports.

“I’ve been working with Victor Conte for many years now and there’s no doubt, I’m with the best group of trainers in the world,” Andrade stated. “With Haney and Jacobs out here working side by side with me, it is very competitive, we all want to be first in all the drills. This is the type of training that will take a fighter to the next level. Billy Joe Saunders will find out what it’s like to face an elite athlete when he steps in the ring with me. He’s in big trouble.”

WBO World Middleweight Clash: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FROM MATCHROOM BOXING USA IN BOSTON

Tickets for the October 20 bumper bill at the TD Garden on sale now

Eddie Hearn, President of Matchroom Boxing USA:

“I am thrilled to be bringing this triple-header of World championship action to the TD Garden in Boston.

“We want to take major fight nights to major cities across America that haven’t had the chance to witness this great sport in the flesh, that’s why we’re in Chicago on October 6 and then in Boston on October 20 – we’re taking this great sport to great cities in great arenas like the TD Garden with the best night of boxing the city has seen.”

Billy Joe Saunders – Hertfordshire, England – 26 (12) – 0 – defending his WBO World Middleweight title against Demetrius Andrade:

“This is such a big fight. The two main men at Middleweight at the moment is GGG and Canelo – and neither of them want to fight me or Demetrius. There’s a lot of smoke and mist in the division right now, and when it clears up I will be the man standing there.

“All jokes and trash talk aside, this is going to be a really good fight. Does anyone want to fight Demetrius? No. Does anyone want to fight me? No. We have to fight each other to prove who the number one guy is. Technically, we are the best two in the division, and the winner is going to be number one. I’m World champion, I’ve been more active, I’ve boxed the better opposition – but I have to beat this man.

“David Lemieux is a bum, a bum – he’s not worth talking about and I don’t take any credit from beating him. But I’ve been in with and easily handled World-class opposition – I’ve been in with Chris Eubank Jr and dealt with him, been in with Andy Lee and dealt with him, Willie Monroe had no heart or desire to win.

“There’s too much at stake in this fight to even think about losing – and I will prove that I am number one. If I turn up at my 100 per cent best, it’s good enough to beat him. He’s a great fighter and he’s been avoided, our paths have crossed and we have to fight. The winner is number one.”

Demetrius Andrade – Providence, Rhode Island – 25 (16) – 0 – challenging WBO World Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders.

“It’s an honour to be fighting at the TD Garden, we’re giving you the best fight in boxing this year, you have to be there.

“Billy Joe is a great fighter, an undefeated southpaw, he’s ugly looking, but he can fight – but your boy Demetrius Andrade always come through. Never have I failed to come out with the victory.

“It’s going to be an entertaining build up and I’m thrilled to be working with Eddie Hearn, he’s bringing boxing at the highest level out here – there’s no sport like boxing, and we’re showcasing it in Boston.

“We’re going to be in shape to do 12 rounds, I know I have the bigger dog inside me than Billy Joe, and I’m going to unleash that on him on October 20.”

Tickets for October 20 are on sale now from www.TDGarden.com

Photo by Ed Mulholland

Billy Joe Saunders will defend his WBO middleweight title in his opponent’s home area in a second straight fight.

Promoter Eddie Hearn told multiple media outlets Wednesday that Saunders’ title defense against Demetrius Andrade will take place October 20 at TD Garden in Boston. TD Garden, the home arena of the NBA’s Celtics and NHL’s Bruins, is about 50 miles from Andrade’s hometown of Providence, Rhode Island.

England’s Saunders traveled to Laval, Quebec, for his last fight against David Lemieux. The British southpaw masterfully out-boxed Montreal’s Lemieux in that 12-rounder December 16 at Place Bell.

The Saunders-Andrade fight will headline a show streamed live by DAZN as part of Perform Group’s partnership with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. The first DAZN/Matchroom show in the United States, scheduled for October 6 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, was officially announced at a press conference Wednesday.

Hearn, Andrade’s new promoter, and British rival Frank Warren, who works with Saunders, came to an agreement for their WBO-mandated championship match July 25 before a purse bid scheduled for later that day.

The WBO ordered a Saunders-Andrade title fight last month because Brooklyn’s Daniel Jacobs (34-2, 29 KOs), the WBO’s No. 1 middleweight challenger, reached an agreement to fight Ukraine’s Sergiy Derevyanchenko (12-0, 10 KOs) for the vacant IBF middleweight title. Andrade (25-0, 16 KOs), a former WBA and WBO 154-pound champion, is the WBO’s No. 2-ranked middleweight contender.

The 30-year-old Andrade (25-0, 16 KOs) will end almost exactly a one-year layoff the night he challenges Saunders. Andrade hasn’t fought since defeating Alantez Fox (23-1-1, 11 KOs) by unanimous decision in their 12-rounder October 21 in Verona, New York.

The 28-year-old Saunders (26-0, 12 KOs) will fight for the first time in 10 months when he enters the ring to face Andrade.

He was supposed to make an optional title defense against England’s Martin Murray on April 14 at O2 Arena in London. He withdrew from that fight due to a hand injury and from their rescheduled June 23 bout with a hamstring injury.

Murray accused Saunders of faking his second injury because Saunders was trying to land a more profitable fight against Gennady Golovkin. Saunders agreed to battle Golovkin on August 25 at The Forum in Inglewood, California, but that plan was scrapped once Golovkin (38-0-1, 34 KOs) and Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) agreed to terms June 13 for their rematch September 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

https://www.boxingscene.com/saunders-andrade-headed-bostons-td-garden-on-october-20–130735

WBO Middleweight Title Bout Negotiations: Billy Joe Saunders vs. Demetrius Andrade

July 12th 2018

To:
MR. FRANK WARREN QUEENSBERRY PROMOTIONS
Mr. DEMETRIUS ANDRADE
Mr. EDWARD FARRIS MANAGER

Re: WBO Middleweight Title Bout Negotiations Billy Joe Saunders vs. Demetrius Andrade

Gentlemen:

Please be advised the parties have ten days (10) upon receipt of this letter to negotiate and reach an agreement concerning the WBO Middleweight Title Bout between Billy Joe Saunders and Demetrius Andrade. If an accord is not reached within the time frame stated herein, a Purse Bid will be ordered pursuant to our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.

The minimum acceptable bid for the WBO Middleweight division is $200,000.00 (TwoHundred Thousand Dollars). Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process.

Yours truly,
Luis Batista Salas, Esq.

Cc: Francisco Valcárcel, Esq.
Star Boxing, Inc.
Banner Promotions

By Steve Kim

Last weekend, Demetrius Andrade (23-0, 16KOs) impressively stopped Willie Nelson in the 12th round at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in what was his televised debut on Showtime.  So what’s next for the former WBO junior middleweight belt-holder?

“Right now, Demetrius Andrade became in my opinion the number one junior middleweight in the world. Joe DeGaurdia and I always knew he was but he actually rose to the occassion,”said Artie Pelullo, who’s company Banner Promotions represents ‘Boo Boo’ alongside Star Boxing

.”He’s had two fights in two years and he closed the show by knocking bout Nelson in great manner. He closed the show the way a real champion does.”

Being with Showtime has opened up a lot of potential opportunities – as WBA/IBO champion Erislandy Lara, IBF champion Jermall Charlo and WBC champion Jermall Charlo are all competing on the network.

Given the above scenario, Andrade and his promoters want the belt-holders at 154-pounds.

Pelullo explained to BoxingScene.com:

“So right now we’re going to meet with Showtime and we would like to fight for one of the world titles. He won the (WBC) eliminator against Nelson. As we speak Jermell Charlo has to fight (mandatory challenger Charles) Hatley next. We’ve proposed to (Showtime Sports head) Stephen Espinoza (that we want to fight Erislandy) Lara or the other Charlo (Jermall, who holds the IBF belt) – and whoever wins the title, then that winner fights the winner of Charlo-Hatley.”

Regardless, the plan is for Andrade to get back on the horse as quickly as possible.

“We’re looking to get him back in the ring in October and we want to get him him a world title fight,” stated Pelullo.

www.boxingscene.com/andrades-promoter-speaks-sho-wants-lara-charlo-next–105744?print_friendly=1

Photos: Amanda Westcott/Showtime –

Former WBO jr welterweight champion Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) and John “The Gladiator” Molina (28-6, 23 KOs), who will compete on this Saturday’s Showtime tripleheader, participated in the final press conference Thursday at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY.

Ruslan Provodnikov: “Words are not so much associated with explaining this because anybody can talk and anybody can say words. I think the fans or the people have to see how my fights have been and the way that I’ve fought those fights. For me to say right now that I’m going to ‘die in the ring,’ they’re words right now. The fight will show, then the fans will have an understanding in their mind of was I just saying that or is that really the way it is. The actions show, not the words.”

John Molina Jr: “I believe in my heart of hearts the fans are going to get a treat with Ruslan Provodnikov coming forward, not wanting to take a backward step with myself coming forward not wanting to take a backward step. We’re both going to try and go in there and pose our will on each other and you’re not going to see a boring fight. It won’t be Dancing With The Stars, it’s going to be a fight.” 

In the co-feature, unbeaten former 154-pound world champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs) goes against Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KOs) in a 12-round WBC super welterweight title elimination bout.

Demetrius Andrade: “I’m just going in and do my thing, you know, I’m the type of person with character. I’ve been in the ring for many years through the amateur program and fought 300-400 times, against everybody in the whole world. So, there’s not nothing I haven’t seen or fought. A tall guy like Willie Nelson with no legs or upper body, I’m going to push him to the limit. That’s pretty much the plan. I’m going in and it’s knockout season for me.”

Willie Nelson: “It’s what happens all the time. I’m always the underdog. It’s OK and I try not to worry about it much. I’m not one to predict the fights; about what can and can’t happen, but it’s going to be an interesting fight. We know each other’s background and we have sparred before at the U.S. Training Camp.”

The telecast will begin with a 12-rounder for the vacant WBC lightweight world championship between undefeated #1 ranked Dejan Zlaticanin (17-0, 10 KOs) and Franklin Mamani (21-2-1, 12 KOs).

Dejan Zlaticanin: “I’ve prepared for this hard fight for a long time because they changed opponents and it’s hard to be prepared for that. But I have waited for this opportunity for a long time. This is the most important fight of my life, and I am going to win this fight. I don’t like to talk too much. I will talk in the ring and I promise I will knock out Franklin Mamani.”

Franklin Mamani: “Zlaticanin is an aggressive, strong and talented fighter. It will be an honor to trade leather with him inside the ring and be able to win the WBC lightweight championship of the world against the number one contender in my division.”

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/provodnikov-molina-final-press-conference-341414/nggallery/page/1

 Credito: Foto de vk.com/boxnews.com.ua

Resolution of the WBO World Championship Committee to vacate the WBO Jr. Middleweight Title of Demetrius Andrade

WHEREAS, on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, Demetrius Andrade earned a split-decision victory over Vanes Martirosyan to become the WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion of the World; and,

WHEREAS, on Saturday, June 6, 2014 at the Barclays Center in New York— almost seven months after winning the vacant WBO Jr. Middleweight— Andrade defeated mandatory challenger Brian Rose via TKO in round 7 to retain his title; and,

WHEREAS, on September 10, 2014, this WBO World Championship Committee ruled in Mr. Andrade’s favor upon receiving a petition to allow him to move up in weight and immediately vie for the vacant WBO Middleweight Championship of the World against Matt Korobov, giving the parties fifteen (15) days to reach an agreement; and,

WHEREAS, at the end of that negotiation period on September 25, 2014, it came to our knowledge that Mr. Andrade was interested in defending his Jr. Middleweight title and, therefore, wanted to stay within his division and no longer compete for Middleweight title; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Andrade was next scheduled to defend his belt against Jermell Charlo on December 13, 2014 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, but the agreement was never finalized and Andrade pulled out of the fight on November 17, 2014; and,

WHEREAS, on January 23, 2015, this WBO World Championship Committee wrote to Messrs. Pelullo and De Guardia— Andrade’s co-promoters— again, advising them that parties had thirty (30) days to negotiate an agreement for the WBO Jr. Middleweight Championship bout between Mr. Andrade and Jermell Charlo and stating that a purse bid would be ordered if an accord was not reached within the time frame; and,

WHEREAS, WBO President Valcarcel subsequently received email correspondence from Mr. Pelullo on February 19, 2015 notifying the WBO that Charlo elected not to fight Andrade, but that Stephen Espinoza of Showtime was looking into Erislandy Lara as a challenger to Andrade for a date in April or in any case no later than May; and,

WHEREAS, on April 15, 2015 WBO President Valcarcel once more wrote to Mr. Andrade’s promoters, asking for confirmation of his plans and updating that while the WBO was originally willing to allow a voluntary defense of the belt, the Jr. Middleweight division could no longer be kept inactive and that a mandatory defense was in order; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Pelullo responded to the April 15 communication and advised that he was to meet with Mr. Andrade during that same week setting June 29 as a potential date to face Liam Smith in a voluntary defense, a fight that we were willing to sanction; and,

WHEREAS, President Valcarcel again followed up with Andrade’s promoters on May 12, 2015 advising them of Section 20 of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests; i.e. PROCEDURE WHEN A TITLE IS DECLARED VACANT, and requesting that they provide the WBO with contracts for the next Andrade bout within a period of forty-eight (48) hours; and,

WHEREAS, On July 15th 2015 this WBO World Championship Committee sent a letter giving Demetrius Andrade a period of ten (10) days or until July 25th 2015 to show cause as to why Mr. Andrade has not defended his WBO Jr. Middleweight Championship of the World under the terms of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests; and,

WHEREAS, on July 20th, the WBO received an email requesting “an additional 10 days to August 4th to respond to the letter [to show cause as to why Mr. Andrade’s title should not be vacated] as a lot of things are in motion that cannot be divulged at this time;” and,

WHEREAS, the WBO Championship Committee granted Mr. Andrade and his promoters an additional five (5) days or until July 30th as the final day to show cause, but adamantly expressed that further extensions would be granted; and,

WHEREAS, on July 29, 2015 the WBO World Championship Committee received a letter from Arthur Pelullo, from Banner Promotions, on behalf of Star Boxing’s Joe De Guardia and their fighter, Demetrius Andrade, advising us that “[t]his past fall, a rival promotional company misled and convinced Demetrius into not taking the Charlo fight that was scheduled for December 13, 2014 on Showtime in Las Vegas, Nevada at the MGM Grand” and that “[t]hat company tortuously interfered with the exclusive promotional agreement that Banner Promotions and Star Boxing have with Demetrius Andrade, which is still in full force and effect;” and,

WHEREAS, Pelullo further advised us that a complaint was filed against the other promotional company for alleged tortious interference with an existing contractual relationship; and,

WHEREAS, this WBO World Championship Committee has thoroughly reviewed all of the documents received on July 29, 2015, including letters from Mr. Pelullo, Andrade’s manager Edward Farris, Andrade himself, as well as the complaint filed in the New York Supreme Court, we are not moved to consider the reasons contained therein to constitute “just cause” for Mr. Andrade’s failure to comply with our Regulations of World Championship Contests; and,

WHEREAS, the WBO has been more than lenient with Mr. Andrade, but he has clearly been inactive and in the context of all of the above has defended his title only once— against Brian Rose— since first obtaining it 19 months ago on November 9, 2013; and,

WHEREAS, the WBO World Championship Committee has full authority, as per our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests to resolve this matter and may, within our powers and discretion according to Section 1 (b) (7) of the aforementioned Regulations, “recommend to the President and the Executive Committee that a Title should be vacated if a Champion fails to comply with the WBO World Championship Rules (Emphasis added); and,

WHEREAS, Section 1 (b) 21 provides that a title may be vacated regardless of cause or fault if the Champion has not defended within a nine (9) month period (Emphasis added); and,

WHEREAS, Section 20 outlines the procedure when a title is declared vacant, stating that “[a] World Championship may be lost for breach of contract, for disability to fight or make required weight, inactivity, or for any other reason established in the regulations that govern World Championships (Emphasis added);” and,

WHEREAS, the WBO acknowledges Mr. Andrade’s qualities as a fighter, his outstanding amateur background as a two-time national Golden Gloves champion, winner of the world championships in 2007, that he represented the United States in the 2008 Olympics; and,

WHEREAS, the WBO further recognizes Mr. Andrade’s potential as a professional fighter, his ability to be a champion for a long time, and that he may, in fact, have been misadvised during his WBO Championship reign, we are invariably bound by and must enforce our Rules and Regulations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the WBO World Championship Committee according to our Regulations that:

1. The WBO World Championship Committee is allowed no other alternative but to recommend that the WBO Executive Committee immediately cease to recognize Mr. Demetrius Andrade as the WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion of the World and vacate his title, for failing to comply with our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.
2. This is a final decision of the WBO World Championship Committee. The affected WBO Participant may appeal to the Complaint and Grievance Committee, pursuant to WBO World Championship Section 34, which as per Rule 3(e) of the WBO Appeals Regulation, must be submitted in writing to the WBO President within fourteen (14) days of the date of this decision as its sole and exclusive remedy.

Dated in San Juan, Puerto Rico on this 31st day of July, 2015

Luis Batista Salas, Esq. Chairman WBO Championship Committee

PDF File: 150706 RESOLUTION TO VACATE DEMETRIUS ANDRADE

The WBO has ordered WBO jr middleweight champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade to show cause as to why the title should not be declared vacant. Andrade has not defended the belt in 13 months and has no fights scheduled. The Andrade camp recently accused Anthony Mundine of reneging on a fight and also named Floyd Mayweather, Miquel Cotto, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Erislandy Lara as fighters they have been unable to lure into the ring.

WBO World Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista Salas informed the Andrade camp:

“…the WBO has been more than lenient with Mr. Andrade, but he has clearly been inactive and the WBO must enforce its rules. For this reason please be advised that you have a period of ten (10) days upon receipt of this communication to show cause as to why Mr. Andrade has not defended his belt under the terms of the Championship Regulations. Failure to comply with this requirement will immediately result in the WBO Jr. Middleweight Title being declared vacant, without further hearing you.”

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/wbo-poised-to-strip-andrade-298729

WORLD BOXING ORGANIZATION

                                                                   CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE

July 15, 2015

Arthur Pelullo

Banner Promotions

—————————————–

Joseph De Guardia

Star Boxing

Re:      WBO JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION-SHOW CAUSE

Dear Messrs. Pelullo and DeGuardia:

The WBO World Championship Committee orders you to show cause as to why the WBO Junior Middleweight Championship of the World, currently held by Demetrius Andrade, should not be declared vacant. As you know, Section 1 (b) (7) of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests establishes that it is within the power and discretion of the WBO World Championship Committee “[t]o recommend to the President and the Executive Committee that a title should be vacated if a Champion fails to comply with the WBO World Championship Rules.” On the other hand per Section 5 (c) of said Regulations, “[t]he WBO World Championship Committee may, in its discretion, vacate a Champion’s title […] regardless of cause or fault if the Champion fails to defend his title within a nine (9) month period.”

Your fighter, Mr. Andrade, won the Vacant WBO Junior Middleweight title against Vanes Martirosyan at an event held at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, on November 9, 2013 and has defended his belt only once— more than a year ago— on June 14, 2014 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York against Brian Rose.

On September 10, 2014, this WBO World Championship Committee ruled in your favor upon receiving a petition to allow Andrade to move up in weight and immediately vie for the Vacant WBO Middleweight Championship of the World against Matt Korobov, giving sides fifteen (15) days to reach an agreement. At the end of that negotiation period on September 25, 2014, it came to our knowledge that Mr. Andrade was interested in defending his Junior Middleweight title and, therefore, wanted to stay within his division and no longer compete for Middleweight title. Mr. Andrade was next scheduled to defend his belt against Jermell Charlo on December 13, 2014 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, but an agreement was never finalized and Andrade pulled out of the fight on November 17, 2014.

Then on January 23, 2015, we wrote to the both of you again advising that parties had thirty (30) days to negotiate an agreement for the WBO Junior Middleweight Championship bout between Mr. Andrade and Jermell Charlo and that a purse bid would be called if an accord was not reached within the time frame. WBO President Valcárcel subsequently received email correspondence from Mr. Pelullo on February 19, 2015 informing us that Charlo elected not to fight Andrade, but that Stephen Espinoza of Showtime was looking into Erislandy Lara as a challenger to Andrade for a date in April, but in any case no later than May.

On April 15, 2015 WBO President Valcárcel wrote to the both of you asking for confirmation of Mr. Andrade’s plans and informing that while the WBO was originally willing to allow a voluntary defense of the belt, the Junior Middleweight division could no longer be kept inactive and that a mandatory defense was in order. Mr. Pelullo promptly responded and advised that he was to meet with Mr. Andrade during that same week and that a June 29 date was set aside, potentially against Liam Smith. President Valcárcel again followed up with you on May 12, 2015 advising you of Section 20 of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests— PROCEDURE WHEN A TITLE IS DECLARED VACANT— and requesting that you provide the WBO with contracts for the next Andrade bout within a period of forty-eight (48) hours.

As you can see from the above, the WBO has been more than lenient with Mr. Andrade, but he has clearly been inactive and the WBO must enforce its rules. For this reason please be advised that you have a period of ten (10) days upon receipt of this communication to show cause as to why Mr. Andrade has not defended his belt under the terms of the Championship Regulations. Failure to comply with this requirement will immediately result in the WBO Jr. Middleweight Title being declared vacant, without further hearing you.

Very truly yours,

WBO World Championship Committee

(SIGNED)  Luis Batista Salas, its Chairman

cc         Francisco Valcárcel, President