The World Boxing Organization has announced that a deal was reached for the mandatory fight between WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia and challenger Dennis Hogan.

Initially, the WBO called for a purse bid – which was scheduled for Monday, March 4th 2019, at 10:00 a.m. ET at the World Boxing Organization’s headquarter offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The minimum Purse Bid amount was $200,000.

But the WBO were informed on Wednesday by both parties, that a deal had been reached – and as a result the purse bid was officially canceled.

Earlier this month, the WBO gave both sides 30 days to reach an agreement.

The sides were in talks to potentially place the bout on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs card on May 4th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Munguia (32-0, 26 KOs) fought four times in 2018. He captured the title in May with a demolition of Sadam Ali in four rounds.

He then retained the title with big wins over Liam Smith and Brandon Cook.

Munguia already fought in 2019, when he retained last month and won a tough twelve round unanimous decision over Takeshi Inoue.

He is scheduled to fight again on April 13th at the Arena Monterrey in Mexico. That return was slated to be a voluntary defense before facing Hogan in the fall.

But now it appears that Munguia’s next fight will likely be Hogan.

Hogan (28-1-1, 7 KOs) has won five in a row since losing a twelve round decision to Jack Culcay in December 2015. He saw action twice last year, with two decision wins.

http://scene.com/jaime-munguia-vs-dennis-hogan-deal-reached–136628?print_friendly=1

 Canelo Alvarez, left, and Liam Smith, right, face off with promoter Oscar De La Hoya, center, looking on after the official weigh-in for their upcoming title fight at the stadium in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 16, 2016.

Photos from the official weigh-in of Canelo Alvarez and Liam Smith on Sept. 16 at AT&T Stadium.

Canelo Alvarez, left, of Mexico and Liam Smith, right, of Great Britain pose after weigh-in for their WBO junior middleweight world championship fight at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 16, 2016 in Arlington, Texas.

Canelo Alvarez, left, and Liam Smith pose for photos after the official weigh-in for their upcoming title fight at the stadium in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 16, 2016.

Canelo Alvarez of Mexico poses during his weigh-in for his WBO junior middleweight world championship fight against Liam Smith of Great Britain at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 16, 2016 in Arlington, Texas.

A general view before Canelo Alvarez of Mexico and Liam Smith of Great Britain weigh-in for their WBO junior middleweight world championship fight at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 16, 2016 in Arlington, Texas.

www.newsday.com/sports/boxing/canelo-alvarez-vs-liam-smith-weigh-in-pictures-1.12328198

The way WBO Jr. Middleweight titlist Liam “Beefy” Smith sees things, Canelo Alvarez picked on the wrong guy.

Alvarez is one of boxing’s most popular stars and could have picked just about anybody to fight. But rather than giving the people what they want (and what he promised) — a showdown with unified middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin — Alvarez dumped his middleweight title and decided to drop down to junior middleweight, where he once unified two titles.

In doing so, Alvarez hand-picked Smith, an undefeated British fighter largely unknown and untested. But Smith is happy Alvarez called his name and was thrilled when he landed, by far, his biggest fight, even if it will take place in front of a pro-Alvarez crowd on Mexican Independence Day weekend.

Smith, 28, will make his third title defense when he faces Alvarez on Saturday night (HBO PPV, 9 ET) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where he will aim for a gargantuan upset.

“I’m not stupid. I know on paper I’m the B-side of this fight. Canelo’s the big name,” said Smith, who will be boxing in the United States for the first time. “It’s always Canelo, and it’s Mexican Independence Day, so I know that. But I am the champion, and just looking back on that, that is one reason why I hope they’ll respect that I’m champion and be fair. If I win the fight, then make sure I get the decision.

“Give me the respect I deserve. I am the champion, even though I am the B-side in the fight. Canelo’s the big name, but I am the champion going in. … I took this fight. I’m not in a situation where I have nothing to lose in this fight. I’ve got a title to lose. So I’ve taken this fight because it’s an opportunity to make a name for myself and establish myself as one of the best fighters pound-for-pound in the world.”

EDITOR’S PICKS

• Smith: Alvarez ‘massively ducked’ GolovkinLiam Smith admits he only landed the biggest payday of his career because his opponent, Canelo Alvarez, ducked a fight with Gennady Golovkin.
• Smith: ‘I have a chance to get a massive win’ against CaneloWhile WBO Junior Middleweight titlist Liam Smith admits he’s the underdog in his showdown against Canelo Alvarez on Saturday, he’s not about to take on an underdog mindset entering the fight.

He knows he is facing a formidable opponent in Mexico’s Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs), 26, who won the lineal title (albeit at 155 pounds) by decision against Miguel Cotto last November and retained it by massive sixth-round knockout of Smith’s countryman Amir Khan, a welterweight moving up, in May.

“Canelo is a very accurate puncher and has a great deal of variety in the ring,” Smith said. “I got to work with [welterweight titlist and recent Golovkin victim] Kell Brook to prepare. It feels very good to be on this big stage, and it’s one that I have asked to be on.

“I am going to show everyone that I can fight at a high magnitude and hopefully I’ll gain some more fans once I beat Canelo. Looking back at his last fight, I think Canelo’s attitude was thinking that he was going to grab the knockout sooner or later, and he wasn’t willing to box. I won’t let that be the case in this fight because I’ve got the ability to outbox him and put him in his place. Just because the writers and the boxing critics label me as the underdog isn’t my motivation. My family and their support is the only one I need. With this opportunity, I’m hoping for bigger and better fights to come my way.”

For the first time, both Canelo Alvarez and Liam Smith will fight at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. Bob Booth/Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

Smith trains at a gym owned by Khan but said he did not discuss what it was like for him to fight Alvarez. “I haven’t talked to him about the fight because what he can do well, I can do well, and what Amir failed to do in the ring, I will not fail to do,” Smith said. “I have my own skill set that I can excel in. I’m comfortable going toe to toe with Canelo, and let that be a warning to him come Saturday.”

Frank Warren, the Hall of Fame British promoter, has worked with Smith since he turned pro in 2008 and has seen his share of upsets. He said Saturday’s fight reminds him a bit of when big favorite Jeff Lacy traveled to England to meet Joe Calzaghe in a super middleweight title unification fight that Warren promoted.

“I am going to show everyone that I can fight at a high magnitude and hopefully I’ll gain some more fans once I beat Canelo.”  –Liam Smith

“Everybody was building up Jeff Lacy to be the next big thing and [Calzaghe] destroyed him,” Warren said. “I mean absolutely destroyed him.”

That’s not say that Warren believes Smith will destroy Alvarez, but he believes he has what it takes to notch a victory.

“I’ve always thought that [Smith] was an exceptional fighter and an exceptional British fighter. He’s won all his fights to date [other than a four-round draw in his sixth fight],” Warren said. “He’s on an eight-fight knockout roll, and I’ve never seen him up so much for a fight. He begged me for this fight, and we made it happen between all of us, and I can assure you when he gets there, there are going to be some serious fireworks.

“It’s going to be a real celebration for the Brits. It might be Mexican Independence Day, but it’s going to be the Brits are coming, and the Brits are going to come away still holding that belt. He’s so confident and all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never felt or doubted him or his ability. He’s one of those fighters, the bigger the occasion, the more you’ll get out of him.

 WBO Junior middleweight titleholder Liam Smith, right, will defend his title against Canelo Alvarez on Saturday. Dave Thompson/Getty Images

Joe Gallagher trains Smith and is one of the most respected trainers in the United Kingdom. He said Smith is well-prepared to pull the upset.

“Liam Smith is a world champion, and he is doing what world champions do: defending his world title against one of the best fighters in the world,” Gallagher said. “Liam isn’t coming over here to be caught like a rabbit in the headlights. Liam Smith is a world champion and is going to take care of business on fight night.

“Smith is a serious threat. Liam Smith can box from the outside, he’s a great counterpuncher, can fight from the inside, has great shots from the inside and has a great temperament. These are some of my favorite characteristics of Liam Smith. I think he might shock a lot of people in just how great he is come Saturday night.”

Smith, of course, is planning for victory.

“It’s going to be give and take. Canelo’s going to have his moments. I’m not saying he’s not. But I’m going to have my moments,” Smith said. “Every time I think about the fight it gets me excited. It just gets me excited. So it’s one that I can’t wait for. It’s going to be a great fight.”

And should Smith win, Warren has a novel idea.

“We’ll be talking afterwards about when is Liam going to be fighting Golovkin,” he said. “Because that’s what they’re going to be talking about after this fight.”

Canelo Alvarez-Liam Smith

Lineup of TV bouts on Golden Boy’s card Saturday night (HBO PPV, 9 ET) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas:

•Junior middleweights: Liam Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) vs. Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs), 12 rounds, for Smith’s world title

•Middleweights: Gabriel Rosado (23-9, 13 KOs) vs. Willie Monroe Jr. (20-2, 6 KOs), 12 rounds

•Featherweights: Joseph Diaz Jr. (21-0, 12 KOs) vs. Andrew Cancio (17-3-2, 13 KOs), 10 rounds

•Junior featherweights: Diego De La Hoya (15-0, 9 KOs) vs. Luis Orlando Del Valle (22-2, 16 KOs), 10 rounds

www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/17552645/liam-smith-looks-respect-canelo-alvarez

By Jeff Zimmerman
Photos: Stacey Verbeek –

Oscar De La Hoya and his golden boy Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33KO) made their first stop today at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, A&T Stadium, for the first of their 2 city press tour that then takes them to London to announce Canelo’s fight with current WBO Jr Middleweight Champion Liam “Beefy” Smith (23-0-1, 13KO). De La Hoya, along with Dallas Cowboy’s Owner Jerry Jones and the camps of Canelo and Smith were on hand today to address the DFW media. The fight is scheduled for Saturday, September 17th at AT&T Stadium and on HBO PPV.

Today was somewhat subdued, however, because of the recent shooting of Dallas police officers which De La Hoya recognized in his opening remarks with a moment of silence. Because of the recent tragedy, today’s presser was a far cry from when De La Hoya was still on top of the boxing world as a fighter when he strolled through Dallas to promote his fight with Floyd Mayweather back in 2007 and was greeted with thousands of fans outside of American Airlines in Dallas only there to catch a glimpse of the Golden Boy.

Almost 10 years later, he now promotes the biggest draw in boxing Canelo Alvarez and there’s no doubt the two of them alone would have packed city streets for hours with adoring fans, but instead in this new world we live, Canelo celebrated his 26th birthday today in front of mostly DFW media, although he was greeted with mariachis, a cake and a Dallas Cowboys jersey.

But there’s no spectacle in sports like Jerry Jones’s Cowboy Stadium and it didn’t matter if the place was empty, De La Hoya was thrilled to bring Canelo to the Lone Star State once again.

“Not because Jerry is here and this is his arena, this is very, very impressive. I have never seen anything like this. I have never been in an arena that is so impressive. Every single seat, that seat way up there, you have a perfect view not only to the screen where the fighters will be 70 feet tall but to the ring right on the 50 yard line.”

De La Hoya added: “It’s such a beautiful arena. We are thrilled, we are honored, we are happy to be here.”

Unlike the always gregarious De La Hoya, Canelo is more serious and noted this was a business trip for him. He did address if it bothered him not getting the opportunity to fight Gennady “GGG” Golovkin in a mega bout that would have surely blown the roof off of Cowboy Stadium.

“No not one bit, things happen for a reason and unfortunately it didn’t happen, but it’s going to happen one day. At this time, we are focused on our fight right now.”

On whether this fight guarantees a future fight with GGG at AT&T Stadium.

“Everything is going in the right direction for that to be.”

De La Hoya plans to bring back Canelo to AT&T Stadium, but was hesitant to say if a fight with GGG would land here.

“Absolutely. This is a wonderful stadium, an incredible arena. First things first, you can’t win a Super Bowl before playing in the playoffs. A lot of teams don’t get to the Super Bowl because they lose. This is not an easy fight for both of them. It’s going to be a tough competitive fight, so we’ll have to wait and see.”

Dallas Cowboy’s Owner Jerry Jones was also front and center at the presser and is now an old pro of promoting big time boxing with two Manny Pacquiao fights under his belt back in 2010. Jones had his take on a potential Canelo versus GGG at his place.

“I think that’s coming, I think that’s coming. What we have is this [Canelo-Smith]. This will be, this could have some things that might not have. I understand the reputation and I don’t want to take anything away and I’m not going to say that it’s the same fight perception wise, but this fight could give everybody the expectation of what might come if that fight is staged. On the other hand, we may have a guy here in Smith that distinguishes himself.”

Canelo was criticized for not taking the fight with GGG and instead moving down to 154, shared his thoughts on GGG fighting Kell Brook, a welterweight.

“That’s why I recommend people don’t open their mouth and speak out because sometimes you bite your tongue.” Canelo did indicate he expect GGG to win the fight.

Canelo is not looking past Smith however.

“The goal is to win by KO but we are going to prepare ourselves for 12 rounds and if it comes it comes.”

Smith did his best to remind everyone he was the champion at 154 and he’s ready for Canelo.

“I’m champion, I’m coming here to make a name for myself in America that’s it and I’m not coming here for the money. I’m coming here to win, I don’t even want to say it, if I don’t win, I don’t think I’m going to lose, but if I don’t win, I will be absolutely devastated.

Smith added, “I’m not going to get out there and say I lost to a great champion and all that. I got massive respect for him as a fighter for what he has done for Mexican boxing, but that’s it. I am not in awe of him, I am not in fear of him, I’m coming here as a big 154, not a blown up 147 like Amir Khan. I am going to make him fight 3 minutes of every round. He better not overlook me.”

De La Hoya believes this has the potential for a great fight.

“It’s going to be an exciting fight, I believe once again a fight of the year candidate. Canelo Alvarez is a tremendous, tremendous puncher and boxer. Liam Smith is a champion for a reason. He’s undefeated for a reason. There’s a reason why the UK now has 14 world champions and Mexico only has 7. Canelo has to step up and Liam Smith has to give it his all. At the end of the day the fans are going to be the winners.”

Jones took it up many notches when he evoked the names Hagler and Hearns on what this fight could be like.

“I think we can have the classic fight, the competition between these two. While we can’t measure it right now, but still we have the potential that this thing will be toe to toe, maybe toe to toe like some of the great fights between Hagler, Hearns, some of those great fights. Those are that type of skills that are out there, of the age that can perform like that and they have it all out there, the incentives are there. And then we hope the atmosphere helps create that and so you add all that up and we should have a great event. It’s one you shouldn’t miss.”

Jerry continued, “I’m more fan of some sports than others but when I get a chance to see a match that is such as the Open golf match they had there Sunday, when I see something that is rare it sends a chill up me, it’s worth seeing. I got to watch the Triple Crown, I was at Belmont to watch the Triple Crown. I went up there specifically so I can send a chill up my spine. I’m a horse racing fan, but I don’t go to the races that much.”

Jones ever the promoter, is always looking to what’s next. He could even envision Manny Pacquiao coming back.

“Yes, yes very much, very much. It’s there and Bob knows very much how we feel and would welcome a fight.”

On the possibility of Pacquiao fighting Canelo at his home.

“Now that would be something to behold.”

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/canelo-beefy-hit-dallas-347400

Merseyside maverick Liam Smith makes a hero’s return to Liverpool this summer to make the second defence of his WBO World Jr. Middleweight title against Montenegro’s Pedrag Radosevic at the Echo Arena on Saturday 4th June, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Radosevic, who is number 11 with the World Boxing Organization and holds the body’s European title, is on a red-hot three-fight winning streak since losing his unbeaten record at the hands of WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm in July 2013.

The man from Podgorica in Montenegro holds a top record of 30 wins from 31 fights, 11 coming via knockout, in a career spanning 12 years. 31 year-old Radosevic will be looking to cause an upset on his debut on British soil and is a step-up in class for the undefeated Smith.

Scouse warrior Smith became Liverpool’s first World Champion in 22 years last October when he stopped American John Thompson in the seventh round to claim the vacant WBO Jr. Middleweight crown.

His finishing was as emphatic as his game plan. A brutal right-hand, left hook combination finished Thompson just past the halfway point in the seventh.

Following his sensational performance against Thompson, Smith returned to the Manchester Arena two months later to make the first defence of his newly attained title against Mancunian Jimmy Kelly on the undercard of Billy Joe Saunders’ world title showdown with Andy Lee.

In the first Manchester versus Liverpool world title showdown in over 80 years, Smith blasted out his unbeaten rival with another seventh round stoppage. After emphatically announcing himself on the world stage ‘Beefy’ is now looking forward to making a hero’s return to his beloved home city.

Smith said: “I’m looking forward to fighting back at home. I haven’t boxed in Liverpool since I won the world title and I can’t wait to put on a show for my home crowd; there’s nobody better to fight in front of.”

He added: “It’s a great fight for me. I asked for this opponent for my first defence. He’s a good solid European fighter and he’s only lost to Felix Sturm at middleweight so it’s a good voluntary defence. I’m happy with the opponent.”

A mouth-watering night of action sees Ellesmere Port star Paul Butler defend his WBO International Super-Flyweight belt against Petchbarngborn Kokietgym, should he win Butler will be guaranteed mandatory position with the WBO. South African super-puncher Zolani Tete makes his eagerly anticipated return to Liverpool to defend his IBF International Bantamweight title. Ryan Farrag makes the first defence of his EBU European Bantamweight title against Frenchman Karim Guerfi and Jazza Dickens takes on Spain’s Abigail Medina for the Vacant EBU European Super-Bantamweight Championship. A top undercard sees Tom Stalker, Liam Williams, Steven Lewis, Josh Leather and Declan Geraghty all in action.

www.worldboxingnews.net/2016/05/10/news/liam-smith-happy-with-opponent-looks-forward-to-june-4-homecoming

Date:  Saturday, June 14, 2014

WBO Jr. Middleweight Championship Title

Location:  Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Promoter:  Banner Promotions / Top Rank

Supervisor:   Jose Izquierdo II, Esq.

Referee:   Michael Griffin

Judges:  Julie Lederman (60-52); John Poturaj (60-51); Alan Rubenstein (60-52)

Results:   The Champion Demetrius Andrade retains the WBO Jr. Middleweight Title against Brian Rose by TKO in the seventh round.

TV:  USA HBO; Hungary Sport 1

By Matt Richardson –

As the focus this week will shift to the middleweight division, activity just six pounds south will pick up next week, also in New York as WBO junior middleweight title holder Demetrius Andrade comes to Brooklyn to defend his belt in an HBO-televised co-feature at the Barclays Center.

Andrade (20-0, 13 KO’s) will be making the inaugural defense of the title he won last year from Vanes Martirosyan against little-known Brian Rose.  Despite the low-profile of his opponent (or, more likely, because of it) Andrade is in full promotional mode less than 14 days before his Big Apple debut.

“I’m just going to go ahead and do what I’ve been doing,” he recently told BoxingScene in an exclusive interview. “That includes boxing, having fun, sticking to my game plan and tools and utilizing everything I’ve been working on to get me this far.  You know, whatever he brings he brings.  I can adjust in the ring.  I feel like I’m in great shape and I’m ready to put on a great display June 14.”

The Providence-born 26-year-old also said he is looking forward to fighting in Brooklyn.  “I’m excited.  It’s close to my home.  I’m from the New England area.  You know, that’s part of my region and my home is not too far from there,” he reasoned.  “I grew up there, fought there.  It’s going to be great to fight at the Barclays Center because it’s going to be like the new Madison Square Garden for boxing.”

Andrade, a former 2008 Olympian, has been training in Atlanta, Georgia for approximately eight weeks for the Rose fight. However, he has only fought twice in the last year and half and consequently said he is looking to increase the activity level, especially now that he has a belt.

“Definitely,” he stated, “the more fights, the better.  These people who are challenging Demetrius, I’m ready to put it up.  I definitely want to unify the division and give the people what they’re looking for.  I’m looking to unify the division, looking at trying to catch all the belts and just make a legacy at 154 and move up when the time’s ready.  The body knows when it’s time to move on so, you know, that’s eventually going to happen but right now I want to take over the ‘54 division.”

While the junior middleweight division may not be as chockfull of talent as it was earlier in the 2000’s, it’s still a decent division currently topped by ‘Canelo’ Alavarez and Erislandy Lara (that duo will do battle on July 12).  Andrade, though, sounded unconcerned.  “If you put me in the ring with both of them, I’ll beat both of them,” he said.  “I don’t really care who wins.  Hopefully I can get the winner of either one of them and put on a show.”

“I just appreciate everyone who supports me and follow my career,” he said.  “I’m looking to hopefully get a fight with Floyd Mayweather, as fast as possible.  If not, just carry the torch and keep bringing the excitement to boxing.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/demetrius-andrade-confident-ahead-brooklyn-debut–78528

While he’s the WBO junior middleweight champion, Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade aspires to a much bigger goal. He hopes to take on one of boxing’s all-time greats in Floyd Mayweather Jr., who this past weekend pocketed $32 million in beating Marcos Maidana. Andrade is in Jacksonville working with his massage therapist while he continues training for a title defense June 14 on HBO.  John Sudbrink/The Daily News –

By Rick Scoppe-

Six years after returning from the Olympics without a medal following a disputed quarterfinal loss in Beijing, Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade is 20-0 as a professional and the World Boxing Organization junior middleweight champion.

To some, that might seem a rapid ascent.

But if the 26-year-old southpaw has his way, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

While his first title defense against WBO top-rated mandatory challenger Brian “The Lion” Rose (25-1, 7KOs) is scheduled for June 14 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on HBO, Andrade has bigger aspirations – much bigger aspirations.

His eyes, not to mention his “mind, body and soul,” are on the prize, which is none other than to face one of the sports’ all-time greats, 37-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jr., the nine-time, five-division world champion who beat Marcos Maidana on Saturday night in a majority decision for the 46th victory in his career that is without a blemish.

As soon as the fight was finished there were those calling for a rematch, but if Andrade has his way he’ll be next to step into the ring against Mayweather, who earned $32 million for his latest victory.

“I’m just ready to get in there, whup the lion (Rose) and tame him; he’s going to be my little cub and I’m going for the big shot,” Andrade said. “I do want Mayweather. There’s nobody out there for me other than him.”

First, however, Andrade, must beat Rose. To do that, Andrade said he’s working hard in training camp, which for the past week has been in Jacksonville, where he came to see his massage therapist, Lori-Ann Gallant-Heilboran, whom he first worked with during the 2008 Olympics. Along with working with her, Andrade has been working out both in town as well as aboard Camp Lejeune.

“We’re just bracing ourselves for whatever we have to do on fight night. That brought us up here,” Andrade said during an interview at The Daily News office. “We’re doing everything we need to do.”

Andrade, who was born in Providence, R.I., and now lives in Atlanta, won the WBO title in November, claiming a 12-round, split-decision over 2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan (33-1-1, 21 KOs) on Nov. 11.

Andrade said Martirosyan “kind of ran the whole night,” and some observers questioned the judge who scored the bout for Martirosyan. Nonetheless, Andrade won the title and now faces Rose as the co-main event at the 18,103-seat Barclays Center.

“Winning the title is just the beginning, the first part of being a superstar or being one of the greats,” Andrade said. “Anybody can win on any given night a title. It’s about what you’re going to do afterwards, if you can hold onto it for longevity, and that’s what I plan on doing. We’re working extremely hard and smarter and doing everything we need to do to overcome whatever comes our way.”

Starting with Rose, a bout Andrade predicted won’t go the distance. Then, he hopes and dreams, it’s on to Mayweather.

“When I win June 14th…, I would call Mayweather out. But I can’t rely on that guy. He pretty much is self-made and picks his opponent and is going to go whatever’s going to generate the most income. Can I blame him for that? No. He’s already did everything in the sport he needed to do. But if he wants to go against somebody that’s undefeated, going to give him an arduous time in that ring, that’s me,” Andrade said.

“I’m ready if he wants to do it. If not, all I can do, and all I told my supporters and my believers and myself, is I will carry the torch when his time is up.”

Mayweather has three fights left on a lucrative six-fight contract, which leaves him room to fight Andrade – if he decides to. Does Andrade believe that one night he’ll slip through the ropes to take on Mayweather?

“It’s hard to tell. Can it happen? Maybe. It’s 50-50 chance. It’s up in the air,” he said. “I’m undefeated with a belt. There’s nobody else in the 154 weight class that’s undefeated, that’s long, that’s slick and that will give him a difficult time, and people want to see it. I know I haven’t been fighting a long time like him. … But now that I’m the WBO (champ) the light’s starting to come toward my way I can be able to call out top guys now. It’s up to them to take the fight.”

And make no mistake about it, if he beats Rose next month, Andrade will stand up on HBO and proclaim he wants Mayweather.

“I will be shouting him out,” he said. “I don’t see anybody else in the 154 division other than me to get in the ring with him, but there are fighters at 147 he can fight also. It’s on him. He can do whatever he wants to do. My job is to keep on winning, give the fans what they want so they can keep shouting my name. If it doesn’t happen, I’m going to be the one that carries that torch and gives excitement and be the next greatness of boxing.”

http://www.jdnews.com/sports/local/wbo-champ-andrade-wants-shot-at-mayweather-1.316325

On July 6 (Palace Of Sports, Kiev, Ukraine) all boxing fans will get an opportunity to enjoy a big show promoted by K2 Promotions (Klitschko Brothers Company) and supported by TM Khortytsya and Inter Channel. WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Zaur Baysangurov will face American challenger Demetrius Andrade. It will be the third title defense for Baysangurov.

At the moment Zaur continues his training camp with Abel Sanchez at The Summit (Big Bear Lake, CA).

“I arrived to Los-Angeles two months before the match. Andrade is high rated boxer and I do perceive that this fight is very serious. I started working from my first day in California, so now me and Abel are focused on strategy and physicals and in few days I start to spar.  I’m very satisfied with our cooperation. Sanchez is unique man, very good person and excellent teacher.  I know that there are a lot of people in my native land and Ukraine, who support me and expect my victory, so I’ll do my best not to disappoint them.   It will be not a cakewalk, but I`ll do it. ” – said Zaur Baysangurov.

“The contract is signed. Now July 6th is official. This time we will make a show never seen before in Ukraine. The main event itself worth much and the undercard is not lagging behind – Rudenko – Baktov(heavy), Salamov vs Djabbarov (light-heavy), Tereshkin (heavy), Spyrko (light-middle). We will show the fight in Ukraine, Russia, Chechnia, Europe and USA. Housands in attendants in Kyiv Palace of Sports will derive pleasure from the world class show! Everyone can allow visiting as the ticket price starts from 30 hrn (4 USD).”- said director general “K2 Promotions” Aleksandr Krasyuk.

http://www.boxnews.com.ua/en/news/13528/2013-05-24/Official-Zaur-Baysangurov-vs-Demetrius-Andrade

Date: October 6, 2012

WBO Jr. Middleweight Championship Title Bout

Location: Sport Palace, Kiev, Ukraine

Promoter: K2 Promotions Ukraine

Supervisor: John Duggan

Referee: Genaro Rodriguez

Judges: Mickey Vann (119-109), Matteo Montella (117-111), Lahcen Oumghar (118-110)

Result: Bayasangurov won by unanimous decision.