David Benavidez Vs. Demetrius Andrade: Odds, Records, Prediction

David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade both want a piece of Canelo Alvarez and his undisputed super middleweight crown. So far, both have been rebuffed. But the winner of Saturday night’s fight between two of the top 168-pounders in the world could eventually force Alvarez’s hand, and that possibility is one motivation for both fighters before their PPV showdown. Here’s everything you need to know about David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade, including the odds, their records and a prediction on who will win.

Though both are undefeated and both have won multiple world titles (Benavidez at 168 pounds and Andrade at 154 and 160 pounds), they’ve also faced their share of criticism. A lack of discipline earlier in his career forced Benavidez to drop his belt twice (a negative drug test and a failure to make weight), while Andrade has been criticized for a lack of killer extinct when his opponents have been hurt and for continuing to make boring, workmanlike bouts.

Still, this is a fascinating matchup, and aside from anything involving Alvarez, it’s the best fight that can be made at super middleweight.

“He’s at the top of the division,” Benavidez said. “He showed the world that he’s a really good fighter. He’s an Olympian and a two-division world champion. It’s the only direction that I thought I could go to prove that I’m the best. He’s not an easy opponent. He’s very technical. He has very good defense. But I always find a way to win, and Saturday night is not going to be any different. I’m going to find a way to beat him.”

Countered Andrade: “Get your popcorn ready. I’m excited for this bout. I’ve been patiently waiting, and this is the greatest fight that can be made at 168 pounds right now. We’re two fighters who are willing to make it happen. No fuss, no fight. I’m just ready to go . . . David and I agreed to make this happen and now we’re here. At the end of the day, I have nowhere to go and he has nowhere to go. May the best fighters fight each other.”

This fight, theoretically, is a clash of styles with Andrade using extraordinary technical skills and his ability to start fast vs. an aggressive, pound-you-into-the-ground style of Benavidez who might take a few rounds to get warmed up.

But then again, Benavidez has good boxing skills, and Andrade has shown that he’s got power too. If it’s not a 50-50 fight, it’s pretty darn close. Here’s how famed boxing commentator Jim Lampley, the co-host of PPV.com’s live viewer chat that complements the services’ live stream, sees it.

“To win, Benavidez must go forward aggressively and impose his advantages in size and power, while Andrade must make Benavidez miss and then make him pay, employing superior elusiveness and counterpunching,” Lampley said. “Their styles are made for each other.”

Here’s more info on the David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade showdown that U.S. viewers can watch on PPV.com for $74.99 beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday.

David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade odds

Benavidez is the solid betting favorite at -400 (bet $400 to win $100), while Andrade is the +300 underdog (earn $300 on a $100 wager). Previously, Benavidez was -360, so the money still seems to be coming in on him. I’d ignore both money lines. If you like Andrade, take him to win by decision at +500 (that, to me, seems like an awfully good value). Benavidez, meanwhile, is +130 to win by stoppage and +140 to win by decision. I don’t have great advice there, though I’d slightly lean toward him winning by decision.

If you were looking for a fun parlay for this weekend’s action of boxing (and this is only for entertainment purposes), I might take the Benavidez-Andrade fight to go over 7.5 rounds at -350, Subriel Matias to stop Shohjahon Ergashev at -175 and Chantelle Cameron to beat Katie Taylor at -188. If all those hit, you’d win $209 on a $100 wager. Which, quite honestly, probably isn’t worth it.

David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade records

At 27-0 (23 KOs), Benavidez is widely seen as the best super middleweight in the world after Canelo Alvarez. Though he’s still waiting for his matchup with Alvarez, Benavidez has had a nice array of victories in the past few years, including wins against Caleb Plant, David Lemieux and Anthony Dirrell. Beating Andrade, though, would be the biggest triumph of his career.

There’s a good case to be made that Andrade has been one of the most avoided fighters at middleweight. Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) has decent wins (Maciej Sulecki, Liam Williams, an undefeated Vanes Martirosyan), but he doesn’t have a marquee victory. Benavidez would certainly provide that.

David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade prediction

I don’t think this is a true 50-50 fight. To me, it’s more of a 60-40 fight in favor of Benavidez. Andrade will impress in the early part of the fight with his boxing skills, but Benavidez will begin to wear him down in the middle and late rounds before taking a close but unanimous decision. Say somewhere in the 115-113 range.