Demetrius Andrade was forced to move up to super middleweight in the hopes of making a high profile fight, Eddie Hearned explained.
The Matchroom promoter has wanted to give Andrade a title fight for years but has been unable to match him with anyone with a strap. Jermall Charlo and Gennadiy Golovkin have failed to entertain his wishes since he beat Walter Kautondowker in 2018 for the WBO belt.
The 33-year-old American has coasted through most of his fights since then, and is reportedly ready to move up instead of facing his WBO mandatory Janibek Alimkhanuly at 160lbs.
An eliminator against Zach Parker would see the winner become the mandatory challenger for Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Speaking to BoxingScene.com, Hearn explained that: “We’ve gotta do something, right?
“We can’t just keep taking [low level] fights.”
Given his age, Hearn also explained that Andrade would find it hard to remain at middleweight regardless of the fights on offer.
“He’s struggling to make 160,” Hearn stated.
“We’ve got to try and make something happen.”