Maybe it is the speed and power he possesses in his hands? Or perhaps it’s his beautiful footwork and cat like reflexes that have been honed to perfection since he first put on a pair of gloves at the ripe age of six?
Maybe it’s the fact that at only 20 years old and having only one professional fight, he already can spar twelve hard rounds, barely breaking a sweat?
The list goes on and on when describing this gifted fighter. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Demetrius Andrade.
Andrade, the 2007 amateur world champion and 2008 Olympian, was the first Olympian from this year’s class to make his pro-debut, bursting onto the scene October 23 in Spokane, Washington, on a the nationally televised card broadcast on The Versus Network.
Andrade, who is better known as “Boo Boo”, looked sensational disposing of Patrick Cape at just 24 seconds of the second round of their scheduled four rounder. Although the fight was short, Andrade’s skills were evident. ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael described the performance as “the perfect pro-debut for a fighter who could someday be a star. “Andrade displayed skill, speed, poise and power.”
Andrade will now return home and look to be equally as impressive in front of his hometown crowd when he takes on Missouri’s Eric Marriott, 0-1, this Saturday November 29 at the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Andrade will join Jason Estrada on the card as the only two fighters ever to compete in the Olympics for the state of Rhode Island.
“I can’t express enough how excited and how important it is to me to be fighting here in Rhode Island,” said Andrade.
“I was supposed to fight out in California, but I told my promoters I wanted to fight here, in front of my hometown and they made it happen for me.”
Andrade balances his training, which usually consists of three separate workouts, six days a week, with the full-time job of raising his 2-year- old daughter Autumn with his girlfriend Sherly.
His training regime of running in the morning, boxing in the afternoon, and strength training at night is strenuous, but necessary if you ask Andrade. “To be the best I can be, this is what I have to do.
“Natural ability and talent will only take you so far in this sport. The hard work I put in training will be what takes me to the next level. People have very high expectations for me, and to be honest so do I.”
The card, which is being billed as Holiday Havoc, will be promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s CES in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, Banner Promotions Twin River Casino and CN8, The Comcast Network. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 401.724.2253 or 401.724.2254. Ticket prices are $150, $100, $75, $55, $40, $25.