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Luke Keeler to challenge Demetrius Andrade on January 31? World title doors burst open for ‘Cool Hand’

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It looks like we may be just official clarification away from a Demetrius Andrade [28(17)-0] versus Luke Keeler [17(5)-2(1)-1] world title fight.

The Ballyfermot middleweight has been linked to the American ever since his impressive victory over Luis Arias in early August – and it seems the ducks are falling into a row with regard to the pair trading leather.

It’s widely known both parties have been in talks for sometime and although there has yet to be a contract signed or an official announcement it’s believed those talks have been positive.

Keeler added fuel to the Andrade fire when he pulled out of his proposed November Glasgow outing, pointing out the date was too close to ‘something big’ in the pipeline.

Now with Alantez Fox agreeing to fight Liam Williams in a WBO eliminator, Keeler is the next highest available middleweight willing to trade leather – and ‘Cool Hand’ now best fits Andrade’s ‘fight the best ranked fighters, until Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez’ have nowhere to go’ policy.

That eliminator plays out on December 21st and Irish-boxing.com believes the slick and unbeaten American has a January 31, New York, DAZN fight date lined up.

The winner of Fox versus William certainly won’t be anywhere near ready to fight 40 days later, again a plus for the Pete Taylor trained popular puncher.

The unbeaten two weight world champion has been left without an opponent ever since his ordered mandatory challenger, Canada’s Steven Butler chose purse over prize and elected to fight Japan’s Ryota Murata.

The Matchroom USA fighter claimed the title with victory over Walter Kautondokwa in October of last year and has defended it twice since.

His third defence looks increasingly likely to be against Keeler, meaning Ireland will have two middleweight world title challengers either side of Christmas, as Dennis Hogan challenges for the WBC title in New York this weekend.

Former Jono Carroll and James Tennyson foe and now John Joe Nevin target, Tevin Farmer is also rumoured to be on the January 31 Andrade card.

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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