Former WBO 154-pound world titleholder Demetrius Andrade (23-0) returns to action this Saturday night in Germany when he faces Jack Culcay (22-1). Culcay holds an interim version of the WBA’s world title at 154 pounds, and this match with Andrade will upgrade the winner to the “full” version of the WBA’s title. Andrade was stripped of his WBO belt without losing it in the ring, and a win here would give him a second world title at super welterweight. The match has been in the works for some time and was originally on the schedule for November 5th, 2016 before it was postponed. Andrade is a talented and interesting prospect in a weight division that is crowded with talent, but he is likely the least known of the top guns in that weight class that includes champions “Canelo” Alvarez, Liam Smith, Jermell Charlo and Erislandy Lara. Fighting in Germany is unlikely to help his “Q’ score in the United States, but returning with the WBA world title might. When last we saw Andrade, he took out Willie Nelson (25-2-1) in the last round of their 12-rounder last June. Andrade is now 29 years old and he has fought just once a year the last few years, which has not helped his cause either. Andrade turned professional in 2008 shortly after he participated in that year’s Olympic Games. Though he didn’t medal the young southpaw carved out a highly decorated amateur career. Culcay is 31 years old, and he has fought his entire career in Europe. He won an interim version of the WBA’s world title in May of 2015 when he defeated Maurice Weber and then successfully defended the interim trinket twice. The lone blemish on his career record came back n April of 2013 when he lost a narrow split decision to Italy’s Guido Pitto. Culcay avenged the loss to Pitto in his very next outing, and he has won eight fights in a row since then. Germany’s biggest promoter — Sauerland Events — is putting on the 10-fight card, which also includes a high-level women’s bout between Nikki Adler (15-0) and Mery Rancier (7-7-3) in co-feature action. In addition, a six-round bout on the undercard includes undefeated Brit Gamal Yafai (10-0), the brother of WBA world super flyweight champion Khalid Yafai. Check back later in the week to see if additional fights form this card have popped up at the sportsbooks… Friedrich Ebert Halle – Ludwigshafen, Germany Super Welterweight – 12 rounds Demetrius Andrade -1300 Jack Culcay +850
Saturday’s Worldwide Boxing Odds & Betting Action – Culcay vs. Andrade (March 11, 2017)
