Andrade: ‘I Would Bust Billy Joe Saunders Up’
In his quest to become one of the top middleweights in boxing, Demetrius Andrade is campaigning once again to fight Billy Joe Saunders. This time, however, “Boo Boo” is doubling down on the trash-talking.
Andrade (29-0) went on Matchroom Boxing’s “The Lockdown Tapes” podcast to talk about his future in boxing. The WBO Middleweight Champion was supposed to face Saunders in October 2018 for Saunders’ then-WBO Title. The latter relinquished his belt after testing positive for oxilofrine, canceling a bout between the two. Andrade is still looking for that fight.
“I was willing to fight Billy Joe after a 15-month lay-off but that didn’t happen and I am willing to fight him again,” said Andrade. “If I can’t get Canelo then it’s Billy Joe or Charlo at 160. At 168 we’ve got Callum Smith. I would bust Billy Joe Saunders up at 160 or 168, that’s not a problem.”
Once Saunders was relieved of the title, Andrade won it against Walter Kautondokwa on the date he was supposed to fight Saunders. Since then, Andrade has taken out Artur Akavov, Maciej Sulecki, and Luke Keeler. The last bout was a last-minute scrap in Miami, where Andrade won via TKO.
Saunders returned and beat Charles Adamu in December of that year. He then went on to win the WBO Super-MIddleweight Title against Shefat Isufi last May. The 30-year-old defended the belt against Marcelo Esteban Coceres in November, winning via TKO.
He has since had his boxing license suspended due to controversial statements made regarding women. Andrade is now baiting Saunders to fight him, even teasing him in public places.
“I saw Billy Joe in the airport not too long ago,” Andrade went on to say. “He said ‘what do you think about me and you?’ and I told him ‘he doesn’t want to fight me and for him to go and enjoy his life’.”
With 18 wins via knockout, Andrade continues to find ways to boost his profile. One fighter who can do that, but one he is hesitant to face, is Daniel Jacobs. The former WBA and IBF Middleweight Champion has faced Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin, fighters Andrade wants to face. Working in the same camp, Andrade is interested in a clash, but the relationship outside of boxing could force that fight to not happen.
“I consider Danny Jacobs one of the best Middleweights out there, but would I fight him, yeah! If it came to the point where we were going to make X amount, then we could make it happen, but I grew up with him and we have a brothership and mutual connections. Fighting him isn’t something I’m looking to do,” Andrade said.
Other fighters Andrade expressed interest in include Liam Williams and Jermall Charlo. At the end of the day, however, Saunders remains at the top of his list.