Bonzo
09-12-2014, 03:22 PM
September 10, 2014
ANDRADE MOVING UP TO 160 TO FIGHT KOROBOV FOR VACANT BELT
By Scott Shaffer
In the wake of Peter Quillin's decision to give up the WBO middleweight title in order to duck mandatory contender Matt Korobov, the WBO has decided to fill the vacancy by having Korobov face the WBO's junior middleweight champion, Demetrius Andrade. The WBO selected Andrade over the #2 middleweight contender, Billy Joe Saunders. This decision will likely rankle Saunders because Saunders' last three fights were all wins over previously undefeated boxers, but the WBO claimed his competition level was the reason he was passed over.
The WBO ruled as follows: "Having manifested a clear desire to move up in weight and considering his status as our current WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion, Demetrius Andrade has made a more compelling case than Billy Joe Saunders to compete for the vacant WBO Middleweight Championship of the World, despite Saunder’s status as former Olympian, former WBO International Champion and current European Boxing Union Champion; and, furthermore, Saunders has not faced a WBO top 15-ranked opponent in the last fourteen months, and his position as WBO #2 ranked contender is primarily due to the fact that others like Daniel Jacobs have decided not to fight for the WBO title."
The WBO did not specify what will become of the 154-pound title that Andrade currently holds.
The WBO did not specify what will become of the 154-pound title that Andrade currently holds.
Andrade's promoters were happy with the ruling. "We are very happy and delighted that the WBO has given Demetrius Andrade this great opportunity to fight for the Middleweight world title," said Banner Promotions CEO Artie Pelullo. "It's a great opportunity for Demetrius to become a two-division world champion. Matt Korobov and Demetrius Andrade were both 2007 world amateur champions & 2008 Olympians. Demetrius from the United States and Korobov from Russia. As professionals they are both undefeated and their paths will finally cross."
Pellulo continued, "my partner Joe DeGuardia and I will get on the phone and call Bob Arum, who promotes Korobov and try to make this fight happen this Fall."
"I am pleased that the WBO has granted Demetrius the opportunity to add another World Championship to his impressive accomplishments. We hope and expect that this will be the second of many more Championships that he will acquire", added DeGuardia
"I would like to thank the WBO for having faith in us and giving us the opportunity," said Andrade's father/trainer Paul Andrade.
ANDRADE MOVING UP TO 160 TO FIGHT KOROBOV FOR VACANT BELT
By Scott Shaffer
In the wake of Peter Quillin's decision to give up the WBO middleweight title in order to duck mandatory contender Matt Korobov, the WBO has decided to fill the vacancy by having Korobov face the WBO's junior middleweight champion, Demetrius Andrade. The WBO selected Andrade over the #2 middleweight contender, Billy Joe Saunders. This decision will likely rankle Saunders because Saunders' last three fights were all wins over previously undefeated boxers, but the WBO claimed his competition level was the reason he was passed over.
The WBO ruled as follows: "Having manifested a clear desire to move up in weight and considering his status as our current WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion, Demetrius Andrade has made a more compelling case than Billy Joe Saunders to compete for the vacant WBO Middleweight Championship of the World, despite Saunder’s status as former Olympian, former WBO International Champion and current European Boxing Union Champion; and, furthermore, Saunders has not faced a WBO top 15-ranked opponent in the last fourteen months, and his position as WBO #2 ranked contender is primarily due to the fact that others like Daniel Jacobs have decided not to fight for the WBO title."
The WBO did not specify what will become of the 154-pound title that Andrade currently holds.
The WBO did not specify what will become of the 154-pound title that Andrade currently holds.
Andrade's promoters were happy with the ruling. "We are very happy and delighted that the WBO has given Demetrius Andrade this great opportunity to fight for the Middleweight world title," said Banner Promotions CEO Artie Pelullo. "It's a great opportunity for Demetrius to become a two-division world champion. Matt Korobov and Demetrius Andrade were both 2007 world amateur champions & 2008 Olympians. Demetrius from the United States and Korobov from Russia. As professionals they are both undefeated and their paths will finally cross."
Pellulo continued, "my partner Joe DeGuardia and I will get on the phone and call Bob Arum, who promotes Korobov and try to make this fight happen this Fall."
"I am pleased that the WBO has granted Demetrius the opportunity to add another World Championship to his impressive accomplishments. We hope and expect that this will be the second of many more Championships that he will acquire", added DeGuardia
"I would like to thank the WBO for having faith in us and giving us the opportunity," said Andrade's father/trainer Paul Andrade.