Light Middle Prospect Andrade KO’s Duran On “Fight To Educate” Card

Undefeated light middleweight Demetrius "The Cape Verdean Assassin" Andrade outclassed two-time world title challenger Saul "Baby" Duran en route to a victory by third-round knockout in tonight’s main event on the 10th annual Fight To Educate card at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Enjoying target practice for the full three rounds, Andrade (15-0, 10 KOs), fighting out of Providence, decked Duran at the end of the second and third rounds, unloading a series of crisp, hard punches. Duran was unable to answer the bell for the fourth round.

Now rated No. 14 by the WBC and No. 15 by the WBO, the 23-year-old Andrade, a 2008 U.S. Olympian, appears to be closing in on a major, if not title fight, in 2012.

"I came out aggressively because he got me mad at the weigh in (Duran weighed in 2 ½ pounds over the contract weight and started eating a Snickers candy bar before he was forced to lose the added weight)," Andrade said after the fight. "The plan was to use my jab. He had a soft stomach and didn’t look like he was in great shape.

"As long as I use my speed, everything is easy. He’s a tough fighter who took some good blows. I hope to fight once more before the end of this year."

New Hampshire middleweight Jose "Stinger" Medina (15-9-1, 7 KOs) dropped Anibel Acevedo (13-8-1, 11 KOs), 1992 Olympic bronze medalist, at the end of round two. Acevedo failed to answer the bell for the third round.

Framingham (MA) light welterweight Danny O’Connor (15-1, 4 KOs), 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate, rebounded from his first pro loss with an impressive first-round knockout of Mexican boxer Jamal Del Cid (7-6). Working with trainer Ronnie Shields in their first fight together, O’Connor unloaded a barrage on Del Cid, who was trapped on the ropes until the fight was halted.

New Hampshire featherweight Dan Powers (4-0, 2 KOs) kept his unbeaten record intact via a workmanlike four-round, unanimous decision versus a game Luis Rosario.

Vermont welterweight Chris Gilbert (2-0, 2 KOs) connected with a perfect placed right uppercut, stopping Noel Garcia in the opening round.\

Proceeds from the 10th annual Fight To Educate will benefit SEE Science Center, The Bobby Stephens Fund for Education and St. Joseph Community Services/Meals on Wheels.