PROVIDENCE (November 18, 2007) – How tough is Olympic-bound boxer Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, the United States’ best bet to medal next year in China? Andrade recently dominated the AIBA Men’s World Championships in Chicago, capturing a gold medal in the 152-pound division, despite competing with impacted Wisdom teeth that were extracted last week..
“I was willing to do anything to get the job done,” Andrade said. “I tried to cover up on the inside and box on the outside, but it hurt when I was hit in the back of my head, never mind every time I was punched in the mouth or face.”
Andrade didn’t simply dominate the opposition, he decimated it, winning each match by an average of 13 points, 20-7, excluding his gold medal victory against Non Boonjumnong, of Thailand, when the referee stopped the contest because of an injury – Andrade had floored Boonjumnnong in the opening round and held a commanding lead – at 1:45 of the second round.
Leading up to the final, in order, “Boo Boo” defeated Georgia’s Jvania Kakahaber (22-11) and Latvia’s Dmiitrjis Sostaks (19-3), Bulgaria’s No. 1 World rated at the time Magomed Nurudinov (26-6) in the preliminary rounds, Germany’s Jack Culcay-Keith (30-9) in the quarterfinals, and Turkey’s Adem Klicci (22-6) in the semifinals.
“Nobody can say anything now,” Andrade remarked about winning his first gold medal in International competition. “It feels good. I dreamed of going to the Olympics and I’ve finally done it. I worked hard to get this gold medal. I wasn’t going to leave it in the hands of the judges (Demetrious lost by one point in the Pan-Am championship match to Brazilian Pedro Lima in Buenos Aires). That (World Championships) was a preview of the Olympics. I’m going to be coming even harder in the Olympics. These other guys better watch out.”
Andrade and his Team USA Boxing roommate at training camp in Colorado Springs, flyweight Rau-shee Warren, became the first U.S. boxers since 1999 to win world championships.
“We finally got it done,” Andrade added, “making a statement that Team USA is going to be strong to the Olympics. We’re a young team that’s getting even better.”
The 19-year-old southpaw Andrade was a two-time U.S. National Championships and double National Golden Gloves champion, who blitzed David Lopez (RSCO-2), Charles Hatley (RSCO-3), Keith Thurman (27-13) and Keith Thurman (21-13) at the U.S. Boxing Trials preceding the World Championships.
Andrade and his USA teammates are scheduled to compete November 23-26 in a dual against Team China in Beijing. Demetrious’ participation is questionable because of his recent oral surgery.
Impacted wisdom teeth and the best amateur boxers in the world just weren’t enough from preventing “Boo Boo” from being golden at the World Championships.
Andrade, who represents the 401 Boxing Club in Cranston (RI), is co-trained by his father Paul and David Keefe. Go on line to www.boobooboxing.com for more information about Demetrious “Boo Boo” Andrade.