Creating His Own Opportunity:
Demetrius Andrade's Campaign For A Third World Title Begins On July 24th At Mohegan Sun Arena!
(July 15th) Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade (32-1, 19 KOs) makes his highly anticipated return to the ring on Friday, July 24 when he headlines CES Boxing's Championship Jackpot 2026 at Mohegan Sun Arena against Brazilian veteran Douglas Ataide (20-5-1, 11 KOs).
Tickets for Championship Jackpot 2026 are quickly selling out. Purchase yours now at cesfights.com.
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 happen eventually.
"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."
For Burchfield, this was an opportunity to work with one of the few great fighters from New England that he did not previously promote.
"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."
Championship Jackpot 2026 takes place on Friday, July 24 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, headlined by the long-awaited return of former 3-time, 2-division world champion Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade against Brazil's Douglas Ataide and WBC International Featherweight Champion ‘King’ Kevin Walsh against Dannis Arias.
Fresh off the biggest victory of his career, undefeated WBC International Featherweight Champion "King" Kevin Walsh (20-0, 10 KOs) returns to New England on Friday, July 24, to take on dangerous Dominican puncher Dannis Aguero Arias (20-5, 17 KOs) at Mohegan Sun Arena.
The 8-round featherweight bout serves as the co-feature of CES Boxing’s
Championship Jackpot 2026, a stacked 9-bout card that also features the return of
former 3-time, 2-division world champion Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade.
Walsh enters the bout against Arias ranked #14 by the WBC following a career-defining split decision victory over former world
title challenger Michael Conlan on March 20 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Fighting in front of Conlan's hometown crowd on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Walsh captured the WBC International
Featherweight Championship in one of the most impressive road victories by a New England fighter in recent memory.
"It was an unbelievable experience," recalls the Brockton native. "Fighting in another country had always been a dream of mine, and the whole experience was amazing. As soon as I landed in Ireland,
everyone treated me great and made me feel welcome. Honestly, I felt like I was home."
The fight itself was a tactical, closely contested affair where Colan would find success as a southpaw but would consistently run into Walsh’s right hands and left hooks whenever he switched to
orthodox.
"It was a close fight, but I knew when that final bell rang that I had won," agreed Walsh. "I hurt him in the first and second rounds, and I honestly thought I was going to get the knockout, but Mick
Conlan is a great fighter. He’s an Olympian who’s fought world champions and some of the best fighters in the world. It wasn’t an easy task, but I was in the best shape of my life,
and I think that showed."
Walsh's win abroad was a graduation to the world level after the 33-year-old first established himself as New England's premier featherweight by vanquishing regional rivals Tremaine Williams (W
10), Ricky De Los Santos (TKO 8) and Irvin Gonzalez (TKO 4) before conquering Belfast.
Throughout his five-year professional career, Walsh gained a reputation as an active fighter willing to take on all comers. That mindset hasn't changed with the win over Conlan.
"I truly feel like I'm meant for this," explained Walsh. "Whenever I'm the underdog, I rise to the occasion. It makes me train and work even harder. I love when the odds are against me."
Kevin’s next challenge comes in the form of Dannis Arias, a hard-hitting Dominican who has shared the ring with the likes of former three-time, two-division world champion Guillermo
Rigondeaux and has foes in common with Walsh as he dropped a close decision to Williams in June and stopped Gonzalez in four rounds three years ago.
"At this stage of my career, I expect everybody to be a good fighter," admits Walsh. "I know Arias is durable. He comes forward, keeps a high guard and throws a lot of punches.
He fought Tremaine Williams in June, and me and Tremaine had a close fight, so I'm looking forward to a competitive fight."
While Walsh's victory over Conlan vaulted him into the WBC's top 15 and sparked conversations about a future world title opportunity against the likes of Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington, Kevin believes
that remaining active is critical as he continues his march.
"If it were completely up to me, I'd be fighting for a world title next," confesses Walsh, "but boxing doesn't always work that way. I have to be patient, stay humble, keep working, keep making
a name for myself and my opportunity will come."
This mindset is what CES Boxing Founder Jimmy Burchfield Sr. believes will take Walsh all the way to a world championship.
"Kevin has earned everything he's achieved," said Burchfield. "He never shied away from a tough fight. He beat every top featherweight in New England, then traveled halfway around the world and
defeated Michael Conlan in front of his own fans. That's the kind of mentality world champions have. We believe Kevin belongs on the world stage, and July 24 is another opportunity to prove
it."
Returning to Mohegan Sun also allows Walsh to perform in front of the fans who have supported him from the very beginning before he moves on to world title opportunities.
"The support means everything," Walsh said. "When I came home from Ireland, the reception in Brockton was unbelievable. It honestly felt like I had won a world title. My hometown has always had my
back, and I never take that for granted. This is why we train so hard and put our heart and soul into this—not just for our families, but for our fans too. We do it for you guys, and we're
going to keep fighting for you."
One of the greatest world champions to come out of Rhode Island is back.
Former two-division world champion Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade (32-1, 19 KOs) will make his highly anticipated return to the ring on Friday, July 24, headlining CES Boxing's Championship Jackpot 2026 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
The event marks Andrade's first bout under a new partnership with CES Boxing, bringing together one of the most accomplished fighters ever produced by Rhode Island and the state's most successful boxing promoter.
A native of Providence, Andrade enjoyed one of the most decorated amateur careers in American boxing history before turning professional in 2008. His amateur accomplishments culminated with representing the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where he competed against the world's best fighters after capturing numerous national and international titles.
As a professional, Andrade quickly established himself as one of boxing's elite talents. In 2013, he captured his first world championship by defeating fellow unbeaten contender Vanes Martirosyan for the vacant WBO Super Welterweight World Championship.
After dominating the 154-pound division, Andrade moved up to middleweight in 2017 and captured a second world title one year later, delivering a masterful 12-round shutout of the previously unbeaten Walter Kautondokwa to win the vacant WBO Middleweight World Championship before a passionate New England crowd at Boston's TD Garden.
Andrade successfully defended his middleweight crown five times, cementing his status as one of boxing's premier champions before moving up to the super middleweight division in 2023. The July 24 showdown will mark his first appearance since November of that year.
"Demetrius Andrade is one of the greatest fighters ever to come out of New England and one of the most accomplished athletes Rhode Island has ever produced," said CES Boxing Founder and President Jimmy Burchfield Sr. "This is a special moment for CES Boxing and for boxing fans throughout the region. We're proud to partner with Demetrius and help launch the next chapter of his remarkable career."
The main event will be supported by an explosive undercard featuring many of Connecticut's top rising stars.
In a battle of unbeaten middleweight prospects, Stamford's Douglas "El Uno" Marroquin (10-0, 6 KOs) faces fellow undefeated Connecticut standout Daine Smikle (4-0, 1 KO) in a matchup with significant implications for the state's thriving middleweight scene.
Also in action, Stamford light heavyweight Slawomir "Heavy Hitter" Bohdziewicz (7-1, 6 KOs) returns looking to rebound from the lone defeat of his professional career when he squares off against hard-hitting Russ Kimber of Peabody, Massachusetts.
Several of Connecticut's most exciting young prospects are also in action, including Stratford's Joseph "J-Elite" Chisholm (7-1, 6 KOs), Branford's Gianni Liguori (5-0-1, 4 KOs), New Haven's Carlos Perez (6-0, 1 KO) and Hamden's Anthony Nieves (2-0, 1 KO).
ABOUT CES BOXING
CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast. Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as "The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.", "Mayweather vs. Gotti III" and "The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton".
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena, one of the busiest sports and entertainment venues in the world, was awarded the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice award for "Best Casino with Live Entertainment in America." Mohegan Sun Arena was also named "Best Casino/Resort Venue of the Year" at the 35th Annual Pollstar Awards. In 2021, the 10,000-seat Arena also received its first worldwide "#1 Indoor Arena" ranking for its size from both Pollstar and VenuesNow. In recent years, the "Most Beloved Venue in America" has also been named the "World’s Best Casino Venue," by Hartford Magazine, and is an eight-time national award winner for "Arena of the Year" by the Academy of Country Music Awards and one from G2E Las Vegas. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit theMohegan Sun website. For this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711. Complimentary self-parking is available in three convenient garages.
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