Former two-division world champion Demetrius Andrade is finally ready to step back into the ring. After nearly three years away from competition, Andrade will make his long-awaited return on July 24 when he headlines CES Boxing’s Championship Jackpot event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. His opponent has yet to be announced.
For Andrade, the comeback represents more than just another fight. It is an opportunity to prove he still belongs among boxing’s elite and to reignite a championship pursuit that was halted by the first loss of his professional career.
The last time fans saw Andrade inside the ring was in November 2023 when he suffered a sixth-round stoppage loss to David Benavidez. The defeat ended Andrade’s undefeated record and derailed his bid to become a three-division world champion.
While the setback was significant, Andrade has never viewed the loss as a reflection of a talent gap. Instead, the former champion has consistently pointed to Benavidez’s size and physical advantages as the biggest factors in the fight.
Now, with Benavidez competing at cruiserweight and far removed from the super middleweight division. Andrade believes the path toward another title opportunity is once again within reach.
A Career Filled With Unfinished Business
Despite compiling an impressive 32-1 record with 19 knockouts. Andrade’s career has often been defined by the major fights that never materialized. The former 2008 Olympian spent years calling out some of boxing’s biggest stars while struggling to secure the marquee matchups that could have elevated his profile.
Among the names Andrade publicly pursued were Caleb Plant, Jermall Charlo, and Canelo Alvarez. Yet many of those opportunities never moved beyond negotiations or public callouts. According to Andrade, the reluctance of top fighters to face him has been one of the defining frustrations of his career.
At 38 years old, Andrade understands that his window to secure the biggest fights in boxing is narrowing. The upcoming bout against a yet-to-be-named opponent serves as the first step toward what he hopes will be one final championship run.
While inactivity can often be a concern for aging fighters, Andrade has remained confident in his abilities throughout his absence. The southpaw believes he still possesses the skill set that made him one of the sport’s most avoided fighters during his prime years.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
