WBO World middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders has been ordered to begin negotiations for a mandatory defence of his title against former 154lbs beltholder Demetrius Andrade.
Saunders, who was scheduled to face countryman Martin Murray in a voluntary defence in June, confirmed on his official Twitter page that he would be interested in facing the American slickster and called for a September showdown between the pair.
Ready to face Andrade September let's get it on 💯👌 sure my management @MTKGlobal and promoter @frankwarren_tv will make this fight ' #Letsgo
— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) July 12, 2018
Following his breakout victory over Canadian power-puncher David Lemieux in December of 2017, Saunders has faced a frustrating 2018 so far.
With two fights against Martin Murray falling through and a potential bout with Gennady Golovkin reportedly inked before the Kazakh confirmed a money-spinning rematch with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Saunders has found himself without a dance partner for his schedule September date.
After being linked with a domestic dust-up with two-time IBF World super middleweight champion and ex-amateur teammate James ‘Chunky’ DeGale in recent weeks, Saunders’ promoter – ‘Hall of Famer’ Frank Warren – poured cold water on the potential bout, telling Boxing Social that while there had been talks, the contest was not “financially viable”.
Whether the bout with Andrade comes to fruition or not is still a matter of debate among members of the boxing fraternity, with both Saunders and his would-be-opponent facing criticism for a lack of activity throughout their careers.
Andrade, a former American amateur standout-turned professional World champion, has been the subject of several contractual disputes in recent times, and has fought just six times in five years.
While unquestionably talented, ‘Boo Boo’ has failed to recapture his best form of late, labouring to a close split decision win over German-Ecuadorian Jack Culcay in March of 2017 to capture the WBA Regular World super welterweight crown.
Undoubtedly the bigger man, Saunders will be hoping to capitalise on his superlative showing against Lemieux and record another marquee victory against Andrade to set his stall out for the winner of Canelo-Golovkin II in September.
Should the the fight be made, boxing fans can look forward to a high-class exhibition between two of the sport’s sharpest counter-punchers, with both men carving a career out of their considerable, natural boxing ability.