Headlining a stacked card, David Benavidez will defend the interim WBC super middleweight title against former two-weight world champion Demetrius Andrade at the Las Vegas’ Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on November 25. This event will be the last-ever Showtime PPV telecast.
Benavidez is a former two-time WBC super middleweight champion. The 26-year-old has 23 wins via knockout and is coming off one of the best wins in his career against Caleb Plant. "El Bandera Roja" wants to secure a Mexico vs. Mexico mega-fight against Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champion.
Another fighter who's called out Canelo in the past is Andrade. “Boo Boo” has attempted to fight him at both 154 and 160 pounds. The 35-year-old lefty relinquished his middleweight belt in August of last year and this might be his last shot at big-time fights. Regardless, he's very confident of victory.
“When I beat him, he’s still young enough where he can endure the loss,” said Andrade on All Access via Boxing Scene. “It’s ok. You’re still young enough to where you can continue to beat everybody else.”
MORE: The last five undisputed heavyweight champions
Outside of the main event, there are several big title fights and the return of a current champion. The Sporting News breaks down every bout on the Benavidez vs. Andrade fight card.
David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade undercard predictions, best bets.
Jermall Charlo vs. Jose Benavidez Jr.; Catchweight
Per Caesars, Jermall Charlo is the -800 favorite, while Jose Benavidez Jr. is the +550 underdog.
This will be Charlo's first time in the ring since outpointing Juan Macias Montiel in 2021. Since then, the WBC middleweight champion has dealt with mental health issues and injuries that have kept him out of action. The Texans' world title will not be on the line in this fight.
Charlo is dangerous when active. He only competed in two contests in the 2020s. Against Montiel, he landed 258 of 769 shots thrown (33.6%), landing a career-high 201 power punches. However, he did have to work for the win, as Montiel landed 127 of 427 blows (29.7%). Facing Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Charlo landed 219 of 627 shots (34.9%) compared to 180 of 681 (26.4%) for Derevyanchenko. Charlo landed an average of 18 of 52 punches per round.
Former interim super lightweight champion Benavidez was hit by a career-high 153 body punches from Danny Garcia, who landed double-digit shots in all but one round. Benavidez landed 117 of 600 (19.5%) compared to 233 to 746 (31.2%) and landed double-digit shots six times. Against Sladan Janjanin, in his last outing, Benavidez damaged his body with a left hook, dropping his opponent in the fourth. Janjanin was also down in the third and taken out in the fifth.
MORE: Why haven't Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder fought?
The last time Benavidez was the betting underdog was when he lost against Terence Crawford. Are the odds correct in this case? Charlo has been inactive, and it is unknown where his mind, body, and soul are.
The Sporting News is going against the odds to favor the active Benavidez. While Charlo will keep it simple and safe in the early rounds, Benavidez will look to be aggressive throughout.
Sporting News prediction: Benavidez via TKO (round eight)
Hector Luis Garcia (c) vs. Lamont Roach for the WBA super featherweight title
Per The DraftKings Sportsbook, Hector Luis Garcia is the -285 favorite, while Lamont Roach is the +215 underdog.
Garcia scored an upset win over Chris Colbert in 2022 to cement himself as a true super featherweight contender and followed that up by beating Roger Gutierrez for the WBA title. His last contest was a lightweight bout against Gervonta Davis, which Garcia lost via corner retirement. Garcia landed 55 of 345 shots (15.9%) in that bout compared to 99 of 239 (41.4%) for Davis.
Roach has won four straight fights since Jamel Herring beat him for the WBO super featherweight title in 2019. He hurt Angel Rodriguez in the fifth round of a fight that went the distance, using a right hand to put him over. He did not land another effective shot until the 11th.
Following the Davis disappointment, Garcia will be looking for a clean slate. He must be patient and use his power to his advantage, as he did against Colbert. Roach has grown since the Herring fight, but can he take down the champion?
The Sporting News believes Garcia will retain following a hard-hitting affair. Expect at least two knockdowns in this fight.
Sporting News prediction: Garcia via unanimous decision
Subriel Matias (c) vs. Shohjahon Ergashev for the IBF super lightweight title
Per Bet MGM, Subriel Matias is the -400 favorite, while Shohjahon Ergashev is the +300 underdog.
After losing against Petros Ananyan in 2020, Matias recovered by beating him via retirement in 2022. The pair went back and forth in the rematch, with Matias flooring his man with a left hook before stopping him in the ninth. Beating Jeremias Nicolas Ponce for the IBF title, Matias landed 137 of 398 blows (34.4%), while Ponce landed 111 of 405 (27.4%). Matias landed 38 shots in the fourth and took his opponent out after the fifth.
MORE: Barrera vs. Pacquiao 1 remembered 20 years later
Against Angel Martinez Hernandez, Ergashev hurt his opponent in the early rounds. Ergashev landed a knockdown in the fourth, thanks to a sharp right hand. He also landed meaningful shots in the fifth, and the fight ended in that round.
Ergashev is a dangerous fighter. The same is true for Matias, who has beaten all 19 of his opponents via knockout. If he's aggressive early, Matias should score repeatedly and find the one definitive blow that can break through Ergashev’s armor. His opponent may not want stopped but that decision will be at the discretion of his corner. It could be a Fight of the Night contender to start the main card.