Demetrius Andrade wants to take on Canelo Álvarez

Defending WBO welterweight champion Demetrius Andrade wants to take on Canelo Álvarez in the ring one of these days. He takes on Luke Keeler on Jan. 30.

In the lead-up to Super Bowl 54 down in Miami, WBO welterweight champion Demetrius Andrade is looking to defend his title for the third time on Jan. 30.

Andrade will take on Luke Keeler in the ring at Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami, days before Super Bowl 54. The undefeated champion is excited about the opportunity to fight on a bigger stage ahead of the Super Bowl.

“It’s an honor that I get to display my talent in front of a broader audience, you know, in front of people who have not seen me fight or can’t travel to see me fight,” Andrade said to FanSided‘s Mark Carman on behalf of DAZN. “It’s a moment that us fighters, in this event, get to make a statement. Why not have boxing right before the Super Bowl?”

Feeling at the top of his game entering his fight with Keeler on Thursday night, Andrade believes he’s hitting his peak in the weeks leading up to his 32nd birthday. Throughout his boxing career, Andrade is 28-0 with 17 wins by knockout. Since September 2017, he has moved up a weight class from light-middleweight to middleweight. All he’s done is win his last five fights.

When asked if he’s ready to take on a fighter the caliber of Canelo Alvarez, Andrade would offer this. “Yeah, for sure. Me and Canelo’s paths were supposed to clash a few times. You know, they always found a way out or an excuse not to make it happen.”

Andrade added that Alvarez had the opportunity to be the undisputed champion in his weight class, which Andrade occupies one of the belts. Instead, Alvarez opted to fight Sergey Kovalev on Nov. 2, 2019, winning by knockout in the 11th round at 175 pounds vs. a guy who Andrade feels was on the way out of the sport. Even if he’s dodging him, Andrade wants his opportunity at Alvarez.

Next: Best Boxer From Each State In America

Demetrius Andrade spoke with FanSided on behalf of DAZN.