WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade will defend his title April 17 against mandatory challenger Liam Williams at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Andrade’s promoter, Matchroom, announced Saturday night.
The fight, which will air on DAZN, will be Andrade’s first in 15 months, since he landed a ninth-round technical knockout over Luke Keeler in January 2020. Andrade (29-0, 18 KOs) has long eyed bigger-name fights, but his first mission will be knocking off some ring rust while adding another name to his resume.
“Liam Williams, you got what you wanted. You ran your mouth, got your rating up and here we go. April 17, your career ends or maybe you go back to headlining small club shows in the U.K. I don’t know. What I do know is that you’re getting beaten badly and then I’m on to much bigger fights and bigger nights in my career,” Andrade said. “Then it’s whoever wants it.”
Andrade listed Canelo Alvarez, Gennadiy Golovkin, Billy Joe Saunders, Jermall Charlo and Caleb Plant.
“I’m here. Undefeated,” Andrade said. “I dare one of you to say my name.”
Williams (23-2-1, 18 KOs) is coming off a first-round knockout victory over Andrew Robinson in October and will be fighting in the U.S. for the first time as a pro.
“I’ve been quite vocal saying I’ll smash him, and I actually am going to,” Williams said. “I’ve waited for this for too long now. I’m not going to let it slip through my fingers; I’ll grab the opportunity with both hands.”