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The Andrade-Williams Fight Shows Why the Middleweight Class Is So Irksome

MIAMI – In nearly two decades as a boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn has had his difficulties getting dangerous fighters significant fights. None, Hearn says, have proven as difficult as Demetrius Andrade.

“He is the most avoided fighter I have ever worked with,” Hearn said. “I can’t get anyone to fight him.”

On Saturday, Andrade (29–0) will defend his middleweight title against Liam Williams, the WBO mandatory challenger (DAZN, 3 p.m. ET). It’s not the fight Andrade wanted. In recent months, Andrade has called for a showdown with Billy Joe Saunders, a 168-pound titleholder. Saunders, understandably, signed on to defend his title against Saul Alvarez next month.