Andrade: Canelo Beat “Nobodies” For His Titles
Demetrius Andrade has thrown down the gauntlet to Canelo Alvarez for a middleweight unification fight at some point in 2019.
Andrade is set to defend his WBO title on January 18th against Artur Akavov, and is looking to come for the man who Andrade believes is ducking him.
“I’ve been willing and patiently waiting to face him in the ring. If you go to 168 pounds, I’ll go after you. I’m following you, you’re not going to be the only one who thinks he can do what he wants, without facing the best,” said Andrade to ESPN Deportes.
“(Canelo) you went up to the ring and you won [titles in three divisions] … But who did you beat? Liam Smith? GGG is good, he’s old, but good. Who is Fielding? You have not fought with anyone to think that people should recognize you as a champion in three divisions – by fighting with nobodies… face someone real, here I am, Demetrius Andrade, at any time of the year.
Adding more fuel to the fire Andrade told ESPN: “I was WBO champion at 154 pounds, and at some point in my career Canelo was my mandatory but they [didn’t want to face me]. Then the WBO took the title away for inactivity and Canelo ended up fighting with Smith for the championship. It’s time to face the best, here I am, an undefeated champion, a three time champion, looking for the best to show that I’m the best.”