Williams vs Andrade LIVE result: WBO champion retains belt by unanimous decision
Follow all the action live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers
Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Follow all the action as Demetrius Andrade defends his WBO world middleweight title against Liam Williams at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino this evening.
Williams came up short when challenging for the 154lbs interim title against Liam Smith in 2017, however, he has been a rejuvenated force since teaming up with trainer Dominic Ingle, with the Welshman winning seven successive bouts by knockout to become mandatory challenger. “Unfortunately boxing is a sport where fighters can hide behind their sanctioning bodies, managers, promoters, broadcasters,” he said in the pre-fight build-up. “There are so many ways to worm your way out of fights these days. I have had to sit on the sidelines and wait my turn, I have tried being nice and being nasty, I have beaten everyone put in front of me... “I will not be denied any longer.”
Andrade, however, remains the favourite fighting on home soil, having won all of his 29 professional contests. He has held belts at both 154lbs and 160lbs and believes an impressive victory over Williams will set up a career-defining bout against Gennadiy Golovkin later this year. On the undercard, exciting prospects Otha Jones III and Mahammadrasul Majidov are among those aiming to take the next step towards headline fights in the future. Follow all the action live below:
WILLIAMS VS ANDRADE
Round 9: Williams clips Andrade with a nice right hook at the start of the round but Andrade wriggles away before the Welshman can build momentum.
Andrade looks content now to win on the cards, the opposite to what his mentality appeared to be in the first two or three rounds.
Williams connects with a great right hand to the head and Andrade is hurt all of a sudden! The American is backing up in a jittery manner on the ropes and this could be Williams’ chance for the stoppage.
Andrade does well to hold the challenger and stunt his work again. The pair exchange lovely body shots at the end of the three minutes.
Is this fight swinging back towards Williams?
WILLIAMS VS ANDRADE
Round 8: Andrade will be four or five points up by now, but it was never the plan for Williams to win on points. He’s going hunting for that knockout.
The stats show Andrade has landed double the number of punches - 130 to 65. And Williams struggles again in the eighth to close the distance as the champion connects what must be his 20th uppercut of the fight. Andrade gets through with a jab-left hand combo to keep Williams off inside the final minute.
It’s another round for the American. Williams has to start showing something because this is going away from him now.
WILLIAMS VS ANDRADE
Round 7: Really good fight, this. The better work is coming from Andrade but Williams’ work rate and aggression has to be admired
Andrade continues to circle around the ring as Williams marches from the centre out in a bid to hunt down the challenger’s belt. A quiet round from the American isn’t capitalised on by Williams because the quality just isn’t there as he misses by inches over and over again.
Andrade measures the distance wonderfully well. Williams has to get closer to him and work on the inside but he can’t seem to get there.
After doing very little for the first two and a half minutes, Andrade gets through with a spiteful uppercut right at the end and Williams is wobbling again.
WILLIAMS VS ANDRADE
Round 6: Williams undoubtedly looks the fresher of the two fighters despite having already been dropped early on. A reckless uppercut misses by a mile from Andrade as he looks to tie up Williams. The American then gets angry as he accuses his opponent of poking him in the eye.
Definitely getting rattled here, the challenger. Williams needs some more success though because the quality is still coming from Andrade at the moment.
A nice hook from Andrade is followed up moments later with a HUGE uppercut by the American. How did Williams stay up?! The Welsh fighter is showing his brute toughness but Andrade came on so strong in the final minute there.
The Rhode Island boxer is back on top.
WILLIAMS VS ANDRADE
Round 5: Williams’ trainer Dominic Ingle tells the Welshman that Andrade is fading fast. Insists his man does not need to rush things because Andrade will fade. We shall see...
Into the fifth and Williams’ relentless chasing of Andrade continues. Andraded pops a lovely jab in between the guard of Williams but he can’t sustain the same pace that he could in the first couple of rounds.
Williams with a nice right hook but then Andrade answers with a fine uppercut. More of an even round as we enter the final minute. A nice one-two from the champion gets the respect of Williams but the challenger puts his head down and sends his body forward for more punishment once again. Fearless.
The pair fall to the floor in a messy heap as a cut opens up above Williams’ right eye. That could be a problem.
Closer three minutes that Andrade may well have nicked. Fascinating scrap.
WILLIAMS VS ANDRADE
Round 4: Andrade not looking as dominant at the start of the fourth here as Williams hits him with a brilliant hook midway through the round.
A second left hook wobbles Andrade and the Welshman suddenly appears to be growing into this one now! Andrade was dominating with his hooks and uppercuts in the first three rounds but now it’s becoming a Williams-type street fight that the Brit will thrive on.
The champion’s legs are nowhere near as steady as they were in the first nine minutes. Wiliams takes the round without a shadow.
The tide turning?
WILLIAMS VS ANDRADE
Round 3: Andrade starts the third round in a patient manner, this is a wonderful display from him so far. Not trying to force anything, just popping the jab out and letting Williams walk forward before fending him off with his southpaw right-hand jab whenever he gets within reach.
Big uppercut from Andrade wobbles Williams once more and there’s not too many more of those he can take. Incredible heart from Williams here as he continues to try and force the pace but the skills from Andrade are simply on another level right now.
Another round in the bank for the champion, although he does look a little tired as he walks back to the corner. Has he started too fast?
Williams needs to find something special.
WILLIAMS VS ANDRADE
Round 2: Andrade looks to establish his jab early on in the second as Williams takes the centre of ring and begins to follow him in an attempt to start working him on the inside. But Andrade’s speed and shot selection is wonderful as he pops out the jab before whipping in the uppercut to jolt Williams back a little.
The Brit tries to hold Andrade but it’s all a bit messy from Williams at the moment. Can’t fault his aggression but it’s the American with all the quality so far.
DOWN! Williams is floored by another superb shot down the pipe. What a shot! He gets back to his feet at the count of eight but Andrade has started this fight like a train.
WILLIAMS VS ANDRADE
Round 1: Andrade with a lovely right hand to the body and left hook to the head inside the first ten seconds early on here. Oh my goodness, Andrade has Williams in all sorts of trouble inside the first minute with some stunning head shots straight down the pipe.
The Welshman looks really shaky on his legs as Andrade looks to finish proceedings in the first round. Williams tries to back the American up but is eating shots as he marches forward.
Stunning first three minutes for the champion.
WILLIAMS VS ANDRADE
The in-ring announcements just coming to an end now then. The two boxers listen to the ref. We are about to get underway.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies