Demetrius Andrade (25-0, 16 KOs) was a very interested ** on Tuesday, when it was officially announced that Canelo Alvarez had withdrawn from his scheduled rematch with Gennady Golovkin.
Andrade wants to become the late-replacement opponent who fights Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) for the WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO middleweights belts on May 5th in Las Vegas.
Canelo is currently under a temporary suspension issued by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. He came up positive for the banned substance clenbuterol in two separate drug tests in the month of February, and he's scheduled to appear at a hearing on April 18, and many expect him to get suspended for at least six months to one year's time.
Golovkin is still planning to fight on May 5th, with the event shifting from the T-Mobile Arena to the MGM Grand.
Based on the word going around the industry, the frontrunner to face him is Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan.
Andrade's promoter, Artie Pelullo, said he has been in discussion with Golovkin's promoter, Tom Loeffler, by text messaging.
"Tom … asked if [Andrade] is in the gym and can Demetrius make the weight," Pellulo told The Los Angeles Times. "I Told Tom yes. Demetrius is in the gym and, yes, he can make the weight.
"I think we have a shot. Demetrius can help sell the pay-per-view. The fans will perceive that Demetrius can win the fight. That's the key."
Andrade, who owned the WBO and WBA world titles at 154-pounds, points to his rating of 700,000 for his middleweight debut last October on HBO, when he dominated Alantez Fox.
"People want to see me fight. Here's an opportunity to give the fans and boxing a good fight that's unexpected, and they'll want to see it … . I know, because everyone in tune with the whole Triple-G-Canelo thing was saying Demetrius Andrade as soon as it starting looking like there'd be no fight," Andrade said.
"When you have a guy with a world championship on his resume coming up to 160 pounds, who's willing to get in there and is a clean athlete — I don't do the steroid stuff — why not fight the best? If you think I'm a walk in the park, come walk in this park and see how easy it is. I don't slack in my punches. I stay in the gym consistently. Am I able to get in the gym and fight May 5? Yes."