Promoter Eddie Hearn has predicted the fight between WBO middleweight champion Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade 29-0 (18) and mandatory contender Liam ‘The Machine’ Williams 23-2-1 (18) will produce fireworks at the Seminole Hard rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Saturday night.
“I like Liam Williams, I like him as a fighter, I like him as a bloke,” the Matchroom Boxing boss said to iFL TV. “Of course, Demetrius is our guy, I hope he wins in style on Saturday night, and I’m really excited about this fight.
“Demetrius is crying out for a big fight, but when this fight was ordered by the WBO, I was quite happy. That’s a great, that’s a real fight.
“I can’t say the fight lit fire in America because the US fans are saying, ‘When is Demetrius Andrade going to fight a real fighter?’
“But in the UK, this fight is big because they know how good Liam Williams is. This is our fifth fight with Demetrius Andrade.
“He’s not lost one round in any of those fights. People keep turning up and say, ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that.’ They haven’t been good enough.
“Is [Williams] good enough? I’m not sure. But Demetrius is maybe a pound-for-pound top fighter. If he is, Liam Williams is going to have a tough job.
“But one thing he will do, Liam leaves it all in the ring. I’m excited. This is a really good competitive fight.”
The 33-year-old Andrade will be making the fourth defence of the vacant WBO title he won against Walter Kautondkwa in October 2018.
Andrade and Williams have a common opponent in Alantez Fox, who went the distance with the former and was stopped in five rounds by the latter.
The 28-year-old Williams of Wales has remained undefeated since moving up in weight following back-to-back losses to Liam Smith in 2017.
“I just think that he believes he’s going to win,” Hearn continued. “He’s put in good performances. Sometimes people come in and talk the talk, but then you look at their resumes and think, ‘Where are you getting that confidence from?’
“Alantez Fox isn’t a bad fighter. Demetrius went the distance with him and Liam just destroyed him.
“I feel like he’s improved a lot [since his two defeats against Liam Smith]. There are levels, and he might be levels below Demetrius Andrade.
“That could happen, but it’ll be fun finding out because he will make sure that he does everything he can. He won’t stop trying to win this fight, Liam Williams.
“[WBC middleweight champion Jermall] Charlo is out there saying, ‘I want to fight the champions.’ Well, fight Demetrius Andrade. There are no excuses.
“It’s going to be the same money that you paid [Sergiy] Derevyanchenko and it’s going to do a load more buys on pay-per-view.”
