Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade masterfully defeated Luke Keeler in a boxing clinic
Demetrius Andrade (29-0, 18KO) was just too good for brave Irishman Luke Keeler (17-3-1, 5KO) on Thursday night, January 30, in Miami.
After YouTuber Jake Paul destroyed rival AnEson Gib via a first-round TKO in the co-main event, Rhode Island resident Andrade dropped Keeler instantly in the first round of the main event. The WBO middleweight champion also landed flush with an overhand left that dropped Keeler in the second round as well.
Although Andrade wouldn't get as quick of a result as internet sensation Paul did, "Boo Boo" did eventually record a ninth-round TKO to defend his title for the third straight time before an excited crowd at the Meridian at Island Gardens.
The end came when the 31-year-old champion pummeled Keeler with an unceasing barrage of punches in the dying seconds of the ninth round until referee Telis Assimenios stepped in to end the punishment. There was just one second to go until the 10th round, but the Dubliner just couldn't quite make it.
Te writing was on the wall from the very first bell as Andrade landed on Keeler at will, who tried to stay close to the champion's chest to avoid the sweeping left hooks, but he was a pace off all through the fight and outclassed completely.
After scoring two knockdowns during the first two rounds, Andrade completely dominated WBO #3 Keeler, peppering him with shots and literally boxing circles around him for 27 minutes.
While Andrade abandoned his home-run hitting attempts during the middle rounds, he returned to the heavy artillery in the ninth, where he unleashed unrelenting unanswered punches that led to the TKO in yet another sound boxing display, taking his KO count up 18 from 29 wins.
The conquered Keeler placed a statement on Twitter for his fans after the fight, "Wasn't my night tonight. I gave it my best shot and wasn't enough, fair play to Demetrius Andrade, great champion, great experience. If I didn't think I could improve I would retire, but getting better each camp under my friend and coach Pete Taylor, so I'll go again."
After the masterful boxing performance, the widely avoided Andrade called out WBO super-middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders, calling him "Billy Joe joke-ass Saunders."
Andrade and Saunders were all set to fight back in October 2018, but Saunders failed a drug test, which meant the fight ws cancelled and he was made to relinquish his WBO middleweight title, which is now in "Boo Boo's" possession.
Hatfield's two-weight world champion, Saunders, was hoping for a shot at Canelo on Cinco de Mayo, but it appears the Mexican is heading to Japan to face WBA world middleweight champion Ryan Murata instead. That leaves Saunders without a big fight on the horizon and both he and Andrade have unfinished business.
The unbeaten American also said that he's interested in a title unification bout with WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo.
Co-Feature
Jake Paul destroyed AnEsonGib in the co-feature.
Gib looked about as awkward as you'll ever see a boxer, crouching and getting awfully low in attempt to move forward.
Paul clipped Gib with a right hand to score a flash knockdown. Seconds later, it's another knockdown! Gib was in all kinds of trouble, so Paul went in for the kill to land a big right hand that really hurt Gib. Another right hand and Gib was down for the third time in the first round.
Referee Chris Young waived off the six-round light-heavyweight contest at just 2:18 in the first round, giving the most-viewed internet star in the United States his first victory as a pro.
Undercard
There were lots of shocks on the night that not many expected to see.
Joseph Diaz (30-2) upset IBF super-featherweight champion Tevin Farmer (30-5-1), ending the Philadelphian's 17-month reign.
'The Magician' Anthony Sims Jr (20-1) lost on a split decision to WBO Latino super-middleweight champion Roamer Alexis Angulo (26-1) over 10 rounds in what was the highly-touted challenger's maiden title fight. At just 24, Sims Jr can regroup and come again.
WBA and IBF super-bantamweight champion Daniel Roman (27-2-1) also lost on a split to unbeaten Murodjon Akhmadaliev (8-0), who made history by equalling Leon Spinks’ record of becoming a men’s unified World champion in just his eighth pro fight, as well as becoming the first unified ruler from Uzbekistan.
In her homecoming, 32-year-old Avril Mathie (5-0-1) defeated Angelina Hoffschneider (0-3) in the fourth round of their scheduled four two-minute rounds bantamweight bout.