Demetrius Andrade said in a Boxing news 2014 update that he is willing to face Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in his next fight, saying that the boxing superstar should not settle with Joshua Clottey.
Andrade, who was mentioned as one of the possible opponents of Alvarez, said in an interview that he won't back down from any opponent, a statement that was echoed by his father and head trainer Paul Andrade.
Paul Andrade is upset about the news indicating that Alvarez will go up against Joshua Clottey, saying that a fight against the Ghanaian will not sell tickets as fight fans will be more interested in a showdown between Canelo and Demetrius Andrade.
"No disrespect to Clottey, who was a great 140 and 147-pounder, but which fight would the people paying for tickets like to see: Alvarez vs. Andrade or Alvarez vs. Clottey," Paul Andrade said in a Boxing news 2014 update on BoxingScene.
Paul Andrade said that Canelo Alvarez is dodging a fight against Andrade, which is the reason why he is planning to face Clottey as part of his preparation for a mega showdown with Miguel Cotto that could be staged in May 2015 barring any setback.
"I guess 'Canelo' isn't interested in trying to regain a 154-pound world title belt. I want to let everyone know that we're still open to fighting 'Canelo' if he is willing to step-up to fight Andrade," Paul Andrade said. "He wants a soft fight to set-up a mega-fight with Cotto. Demetrius is too high risk for the top 154-pounders to fight."
The elder Andrade also took a swipe at Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya, saying that the boxing Hall of Famer should have not mentioned Demetrius Andrade if they are really unwilling to arrange the fight.
"Oscar never should have said Demetrius was on the short list to fight 'Canelo' because he didn't mean it," Paul Andrade said in Boxing news 2014 update. "We're not letting them off the hook, though. We haven't signed to move up to 160 yet and we're open to fighting 'Canelo' at any given time."
