Former two-division champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (pictured) steps into the ring for a ten-round super middleweight clash against Maryland native Demond Nicholson (26-4-1) on January 7th in Washington, D.C. as a supporting bout on the pay-per-view broadcast headlined by Gervonta "Tank" Davis vs. WBA 130-pound champion Hector Luis Garcia. Andrade (31-0) has held titles at 154 and 160 pounds but recently vacated the WBO middleweight title, which is now held by Janibek Alimkhanuly. Nicholson lost to Edgar Berlanga in 2021, but has won three straight since then
A 2008 U.S. Olympian from Providence, Rhode Island, Andrade embarks on a campaign to become a three-division world champion. The 34-year old captured the 154-pound title with a 2013 victory over Vanes Martirosyan and went on to defend the belt four times before moving up to middleweight. At 160, Andrade won a dominant decision over Walter Kautondokwa in October 2018 to win a vacant WBO title, before putting together a string of five consecutive title defenses, including most recently stopping Jason Quigley in two rounds in November 2021.
“My goal right now is to become a three-division world champion,” said Andrade. “Super middleweight is a stacked division with more characters to make some great fights for the fans. I hope Demond Nicholson has a safe camp and brings his very best to the table so that we can have a great showing on this card. I’m ready to display my talent and skill on my journey to becoming a three-division world champion.”
Nicholson's last ring action saw him stop Christopher Brooker in August. “This is a great opportunity for me to attack my dreams,” said Nicholson. “A win on January 7th is going to get me closer to accomplishing the goals I have in this lifetime. I am ready for anything my opponent is going to bring to the ring, so the fans should expect a great fight for as long as this one lasts.”
Here is what Andrade and Nicholson had to say at Monday's press conference:
DEMETRIUS ANDRADE
“I’m feeling good. This is a new journey. I’m looking to become a three-division champion. I’m thankful to have this opportunity to showcase my skill and talent on this beautiful card.
“At the end of the day, nothing guarantees a Canelo Alvarez fight. Right now I’m looking at Caleb Plant, David Benavidez and Jermall Charlo. I want all those big names.
“Showtime is a great place to be. I’ve had my journey through my boxing career and now I’m writing my own chapter. January 7th is an opportunity to do what I do best. There are a lot of great fights that can be made at 168 pounds and I’m looking to make them. This is a great position right now for me to make those fights.
“My experience and my amateur pedigree will be the difference. My IQ, my talent and my skill overall are going to be huge for me.
“I’m ready to tangle. We both said yes to the fight, and may the best man win. At the end of the day we’re both going to bring our best to the table.
“I’m looking to show that I’m the best. Let’s make this happen. There’s no more excuses. This fight is a stepping stone toward making those things happen and I’m grateful for the opportunity.
“I did my thing at 154 and 160 and now I want to move on to this journey at super middleweight and make it happen.”
DEMOND NICHOLSON
“This is probably the biggest fight of my career, so I’m just looking forward to seeing Andrade in that ring. It’s going to be a hell of a fight.
“I have to take advantage of his age. I’ve got the advantage with youth and I have to use that to help me in this fight.
“My home is 15 minutes away from here, so the support I’m going to receive is going to be drastic. It’s going to be full of my friends and family. It’s time to put on a show and really get my name in the books. This is really my chance.
“I’m 100% healthy right now. It’s time to really go full-fledged forward. I’m feeling great right now.
“This fight with Andrade is bigger than Benavidez if you look at it from boxing and skills wise. For me this is like fighting Canelo. It’s a big fight.
“For me it’s about working smarter and believing in myself and my team. I just have to go out there and do what I do best.”
