STAR PREVIEW: Andrade v Williams / Paul v Askren

Demetrius Andrade defends his WBO middleweight title for the fourth time this weekend against powerful Welshman, Liam Williams. Andrade has long been considered one of the most talented boxers in the world but after twelve years as a professional, we are still waiting for his career defining night.

Andrade, also known as ‘Boo Boo’, was a standout American amateur and turned over to the professional ranks in 2008 with a lot of momentum. The idea of Andrade becoming a world champion was something of an inevitability and he delivered on that promise in 2013, when he claimed the WBA super welterweight crown.

Since claiming that first world title, Andrade has gone on to become middleweight champion and holds a record of 29-0 18KO. On paper, his record is impressive but when you look down the resume of the American, it is underwhelming and the Rhode Island native is yet to compete with the very best in the middleweight division.

To the American fans, Liam Williams looks like another C level fighter to add to the record of Demetrius Andrade. In the UK, however, the feeling is very different. Many over here believe The Machine is one of the best kept secrets in world boxing. The challenger holds a record of 23-2-1 18KO and at 28, he is coming into his prime as an athlete.

Williams began his career at light middleweight where he held the British title but he eventually lost two back-to-back fights against Liam Smith in 2017. Losing to the Liverpudlian would have been a hurtful experience for Williams, but those defeats are perhaps the reason we are seeing him in world title action this weekend.

After losing, Williams moved up to middleweight and changed his training team. Now under the watchful eye of Dominic Ingle at the world-famous Ingle Gym, he is on a seven-fight win streak with all seven fights ending inside the distance. The move up in weight has rejuvenated him and he now takes his chance at world level.

Despite his form and potential, this is still an incredibly tough fight for the Welshman. Andrade, at his best, is an elite fighter but he has been inactive for fifteen months and is now 33. There are suggestions that the champion could be past his best and if that’s true, Williams is the sort of fighter that will take full advantage.

Andrade starts as the (3/10) favourite which you would expect for an undefeated champion and he is (10/11) to win this by decision. Andrade is an expert at navigating a twelve-round fight, so if he was to win by decision here it would be no surprise.

However, it has been a long time since we have seen the champion at his best and he has a tendency to underperform and at times, look disinterested. If the best Andrade turns up, he should be a level above Liam Williams but if he is not at his peak, Williams is an extremely live underdog.

Williams will need a career best performance to win but he is a fighter on an upwards trajectory and with Andrade suspectable to underperforming, 5/2 for the Welshman to win looks very interesting.

Also, this weekend, social media star turned professional boxer, Jake Paul looks to go 3-0 against former MMA athlete Ben Askren. Paul, also known as The Problem Child, has caused a lot of controversy since becoming a professional boxer and there are large parts of the sport that remain completely closed off from the idea of a celebrity becoming a competitive professional.

Paul is currently 2-0 2KO’s but his former opposition have been a fellow celebrity and a former basketball player. This weekend he takes on a genuine combat athlete in Ben Askren and although Askren will be making his boxing debut, he is an extremely experienced competitor. He was a Division 1 wrestler at college and transitioned into MMA with great success, becoming a champion in two promotions before finishing his career in the UFC.

This fight is one that splits opinion in terms of its legitimacy and also competitiveness but Jake Paul is a huge draw financially and there is a reason he has chosen Askren as an opponent. Askren has never fought under rules that limit him to just use his hands which may cause issues for him and there are questions about his ambition as a boxer. However, he is tough and experienced and should certainly ask questions of his largely untested opponent.

Paul is the (4/7) favourite and with everything stacked in his favour, inside and outside the ring, he should win this contest. The fight is scheduled for eight rounds and as previously mentioned, Askren is more durable, and capable, than anyone Paul has ever faced. Therefore, there could be some value in the 11/2 for Jake Paul to win by decision.

RECOMMENDED BETS (1-100 points)
BACK Liam Williams to win 2pts at 5/2 (Latest Star Price  ? Click to BET NOW)
BACK Jake Paul to win on points 1 pt at 11/2 (Latest Star Price  ? Click to BET NOW)

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