IN a surprise declaration on social media, promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that he has agreed terms for Demetrius Andrade to challenge Billy Joe Saunders for the latterโs WBO middleweight world championship.
Delighted to agree terms for @BooBooAndrade to challenge @bjsaunders_ for the WBO World title – full details coming soon @DAZN_USA
โ Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) July 25, 2018
Andrade, a former world champion at super-welter, is Saundersโ mandatory challenger. Andrade is one the first signings for Hearnโs new Matchroom USA operation and will be boxing on the DAZN streaming service in the USA.
The bout was due to go to purse bids but now an agreement has been reached, with the contest set to take place in America.
It seemed like it would be a difficult deal to complete, given that Saunders is promoted by Frank Warren, Hearnโs arch-rival. But the two sides have put the fight together. โPurse bid called off, delighted to reach a deal for Billy Joe Saunders to defend his WBO world middleweight title against Demetrius Andrade in America,โ Frank Warren stated on social media. โBring that belt home. And still.โ
Saunders was more blunt. โEarn with Hearn,โ he wrote. โYour man is getting spanked. School time.โ