Capital One Arena, Washington, USA. Conqueror of two weight divisions American Demetrius Endred (32-0, 19 KOs) made his debut in the super middleweight division (up to 76.2 kg) in a fight with a middle-class compatriot Demond Nicholson (26-5-1, 22 KOs).
Andred started the fight aggressively. He occupied the center of the ring, threw a lot of uppercuts. Nicholson suggested in response to a power confrontation – he tried to clinch, knit the opponent’s hands. Both fouled a lot in clinches – attempts to butt their heads, hook them with their elbows.
In the 2nd three-minute period, Andred gave the center of the ring to his opponent, beautifully worked ahead of the curve in series, shifted, creating attack angles for himself and dropped Nicholson a minute before the gong. The underdog was not shocked, rose to his feet, continued the fight.
.@BooBooAndrade sends Nicholson to the canvas in round 2 #AndradeNicholson | Order #DavisGarcia: https://t.co/d96HK2LrHD pic.twitter.com/dctYifVKES
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) January 8, 2023
Demond more than once threw himself head first at the favorite. He responded by lashing out at his opponent. After one of these episodes, Nicholson grimaced in pain – problems with his shoulder. Everything is OK, continue the fight. However, he has nothing to offer Andred.
The referee would be nice to act a little more decisively. Fighters at times simply ignore his commands. Meanwhile, the ex-champion kicked off the gas pedal, but at times beautifully spuds Nicholson’s body. If the third in the ring does not allow the underdog to work at close range (constantly breeds boxers), then Demond has no chance.
In the 5th round, Andred missed several body shots (some of them seemed to be just below the waterline), lost his balance and ended up on the floor. The referee was clearly at a loss, thought for a few seconds, but did not open the score. The favorite moved a little, then continued to beautifully intercept Nicholson’s attacks with lightning-fast series. He is very talented. It is a pity that so far he has not got the opportunity to show himself against the elite opposition.
In the 7th round, Nicholson again visited the floor. The referee did not record a knockdown in this case either. Perhaps he is right – Andred simultaneously held the opponent and pounded, struck just below the belt. The fight became less and less interesting. Both were passive: the favorite gave up trying to win ahead of schedule, the underdog realized that he had no chance.
In the decisive round, Andred invested a little more in punches, scored another knockdown. I wonder if the judges will give the underdog at least one round?
They didn’t give it away. Three times 100-88 in favor of the favorite.
Endred UD 10.