UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Tonight, Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade (32-1, 19 KOs) makes his highly anticipated return to the ring when he headlines CES Boxing’s Championship Jackpot 2026 at Mohegan Sun Arena against Brazilian veteran Douglas Ataide (20-5-1, 11 KOs).
For nearly two decades, Demetrius Andrade has been one of boxing’s most gifted but avoided world champions. A US Olympian, three-time, two-division world champion and one of the greatest fighters ever produced by New England, the Providence native has spent much of his career chasing the biggest names in the sport.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Caleb Plant, and the Charlo brothers are just a few of the boxers who chose to look the other way despite Andrade’s best attempts to lure them into the ring.
Instead, Andrade was forced to move to higher weight classes in search of a marquee opponent who would help cement him as one of this generation’s best fighters. When such an opportunity finally presented itself against David Benavidez, Andrade’s personal circumstances couldn’t have been worse.
While preparing for that high-profile showdown, Demetrius’ mother became terminally ill and his younger brother was shot and left paralyzed. Few outside Andrade’s inner circle understood the emotional weight he carried into the biggest fight of his career.
“I was literally going from one hospital floor to another—seeing my mother in a coma and then going upstairs to see my little brother—while trying to prepare for the biggest fight of my career,” reflected Andrade. “That’s something no one can prepare you for.”
With his family in disarray, Andrade made alternate training plans so that his father could stay behind to care for his mother and brother.
“My father has always been my head trainer,” says Andrade, “but because of what was going on with my mom and my brother, he stayed behind and I worked with Andre Rozier, who stepped in and did a great job helping me prepare. We did the best that we could under the circumstances.”
Despite the emotional burden, Andrade reasoned that he couldn’t risk pulling out of the fight because there was no guarantee that he would get the opportunity again.
Demetrius got off to a fast start on fight night, out working Benavidez for the first few rounds.
“I thought I boxed well early,” agreed Andrade. “I was landing clean shots, especially to the body, while using my movement and controlling the pace. I was using a lot of energy, but I felt good.”
While the activity was winning him rounds, Andrade noticed that his best shots were not having an effect on the bigger Benavidez.
“I’m not taking anything away from him – he won the fight – but there was a huge difference between the fighter I saw at the weigh-in and the one standing across from me on fight night.”
Andrade fought valiantly until a Benavidez right hand in round four turned the tide. Two rounds later, the fight was over.
Having suffered the loss of his mother and his first professional defeat, Andrade decided that it was time to step away from the sport for a period.
“I needed some time away to deal with everything,” explains Andrade. “I focused on my mind, body, soul, and my family. Boxing is what I love, but we’re more than just fighters.”
After a period of mourning, Andrade focused on life outside the sport, dedicating time to his family and developing several thriving businesses.
Feeling refreshed and motivated, Andrade decided that it was time to come back.
“I wanted to come back earlier, but after taking a year off, there wasn’t any momentum,” he explained. “That’s when I started talking with Jimmy Burchfield.”
The partnership between Andrade and CES Boxing Founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr. pits one of the best fighters to ever come out of Rhode Island with the biggest promoter the Ocean State has had. It’s a union that was destined to eventually happen.
“Jimmy and I have known each other for a long time,” said Andrade. “I’ve always respected Jimmy and everything he’s done for boxing in New England. He’s one of the hardest-working promoters in the sport. I realized I didn’t want to keep waiting for opportunities anymore. I knew together we could make things happen.”
“Demetrius is one of the greatest fighters ever produced in New England,” said Burchfield. “He’s accomplished almost everything there is to accomplish in this sport, but we believe he still has another championship run left in him. July 24 is only the beginning.”
The first stop in their union is a bout against Douglas Ataide, a 35-year-old Brazilian who has shared the ring with the likes of former middleweight world champion Ryota Murata and world title challenger Jorge Heiland. The rugged Brazilian has never shied away from difficult assignments and now receives the biggest opportunity of his professional career.
“I give Douglas a lot of credit,” said Andrade. “We reached out to a lot of fighters with bigger names who didn’t take the fight. Douglas stepped up and accepted the opportunity, and I respect that. Once the bell rings, though, it’s my job to hurt him.”
While Demetrius is fully focused on handling business against Ataide on July 24, he has very specific goals in mind for the final stage of his career.
“I want to become a three-division world champion,” said Andrade without hesitation, “but there’s also unfinished business. There are fights that should have happened years ago that still make sense today. Caleb Plant, the Charlo brothers, Edgar Berlanga, Jaime Munguia. I’m ready to fight all of them.”
And while Andrade would welcome any one of those fights, he makes one thing clear: “I’m not waiting anymore. We’re creating our own opportunities. I still believe the 168-pound division is wide open for somebody with my skills, and I’m coming back to show everyone what I’m capable of.”
This release first ran in the official CES Boxing program book for Championship Jackpot 2026 (July 24, 2026, Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT).
