NEW YORK -- It will be a very busy weekend of boxing, headlined by a pay-per-view bout between Manny Pacquiao and Adrien Broner. Before that pay-per-view though there will be a fight card on Jan. 18 streaming live on DAZN. That card will be headlined by a WBO middleweight title fight fight between champion Demetrius Andrade (26-0, 16 KO) and challenger Artur Akavov (19-2, 8 KOs).
Andrade is a southpaw who seems to have all the skills to give the best in his division a run for their money. He is tall and long and fights well from the outside. Andrade's jab helps him find the distance and set up the rest of his attack. He has solid pop on his punches along with adequate hand speed and he can do damage with both hands. Andrade has a nice right hook and a good left hand he does some of his best work with. On the inside the champ can put in some nice work to the body but he is at his best when he has distance to really work.
Unfortunately for fans of Andrade they haven't seen him in with the best, in part because he is one of the least active fighters in the sport. In 2018, 2016, 2015, and 2014 Andrade fought only once. He also seems to have a fetish for fighting opponents no one has really heard of. His last two opponents, Walter Kautondokwa and Alantez Fox, both entered the fight with unbeaten records but neither had fought anyone of note before facing Andrade. Akavov is another fighter most fans probably had to Google but at least he's fought a top middleweight, getting in the ring with Billy Joe Saunders in 2016 and losing a unanimous decision. Andrade's best opponent was Vanes Martirosyan but that fight was five years ago and Andrade hasn't done much to raise his profile since.
Akavov is also a southpaw but he doesn't have anywhere near the power that Andrade does and he will also be at a noticeable size disadvantage against the champ. Hailing from Russia, Akavov likes to come forward behind his jab and that jab is a busy one. He isn't just a guy who rushes forward though, he has a good idea of distances and uses them well, if subtly. Behind his busy jab Akavov likes to unleash a left hand with band intentions but he's only scored eight knockouts in 21 fights so Andrade won't have to worry too much about his power.
Akavov had the biggest fight of his career in 2016 when he fought Saunders for the WBO title. However, that is Akavov's only notable fight and he's only fought three times since that loss. Andrade has also only fought three times since 2016 so this will be a battle of two inactive fighters.
When you're as inactive as Andrade has been and when you face the low level of opposition he has it is important to look great every time you enter the ring. Certainly Andrade would like to dominate this fight and get the stoppage win to help raise his profile with boxing fans who seem to be losing interest. That won't be easy to do against Akavov, a fighter who's never been knocked out and has only been dropped once. Akavov could frustrate Andrade with his ability to master distances and stay just out of reach. Yet once Andrade gets going his superior skill level, especially offensively, should be evident.
PREDICTION: After a few close early rounds Demetrius Andrade will get going and take control. Artur Akavov will never fold but he won't win enough rounds to make it interesting. Andrade will win this fight by the way of unanimous decision but it won't be the exciting victory he is certainly hoping for.
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| Andrade targeting the body of Walter Kautondokwa |
Unfortunately for fans of Andrade they haven't seen him in with the best, in part because he is one of the least active fighters in the sport. In 2018, 2016, 2015, and 2014 Andrade fought only once. He also seems to have a fetish for fighting opponents no one has really heard of. His last two opponents, Walter Kautondokwa and Alantez Fox, both entered the fight with unbeaten records but neither had fought anyone of note before facing Andrade. Akavov is another fighter most fans probably had to Google but at least he's fought a top middleweight, getting in the ring with Billy Joe Saunders in 2016 and losing a unanimous decision. Andrade's best opponent was Vanes Martirosyan but that fight was five years ago and Andrade hasn't done much to raise his profile since.
Akavov is also a southpaw but he doesn't have anywhere near the power that Andrade does and he will also be at a noticeable size disadvantage against the champ. Hailing from Russia, Akavov likes to come forward behind his jab and that jab is a busy one. He isn't just a guy who rushes forward though, he has a good idea of distances and uses them well, if subtly. Behind his busy jab Akavov likes to unleash a left hand with band intentions but he's only scored eight knockouts in 21 fights so Andrade won't have to worry too much about his power.
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| Akavov landing a sharp jab on the chin of Billy Joe Saunders |
When you're as inactive as Andrade has been and when you face the low level of opposition he has it is important to look great every time you enter the ring. Certainly Andrade would like to dominate this fight and get the stoppage win to help raise his profile with boxing fans who seem to be losing interest. That won't be easy to do against Akavov, a fighter who's never been knocked out and has only been dropped once. Akavov could frustrate Andrade with his ability to master distances and stay just out of reach. Yet once Andrade gets going his superior skill level, especially offensively, should be evident.
PREDICTION: After a few close early rounds Demetrius Andrade will get going and take control. Artur Akavov will never fold but he won't win enough rounds to make it interesting. Andrade will win this fight by the way of unanimous decision but it won't be the exciting victory he is certainly hoping for.
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