The WBA’s ‘regular’ titleholder Demetrius Andrade (24-0, 16 KOs) turned 29 earlier this year and knows that for all of his immense talent, he needs some serious exposure and good opponents if he’s to get where he should already be (in my estimation, anyway).

To that end RingTV reports that Andrade is currently in talks with HBO for a multi-fight deal, with the first bout to take place on October 21st as the co-feature to Jezreel Corrales vs. Alberto Machado at the Turning Stone in Verona, NY. And while Andrade has been penciled in for that date, his opponent has yet to be determined.

Andrade has fought only four time since last appearing on HBO back in November 2013, and his best performance, by far, was his stoppage win over Willie Nelson on Showtime in June 2016. In that fight Andrade showcased everything he’s been hyped up to be. But since then Andrade has only fought once, against Jack Culcay this past March, in a fight where he earned a split decision victory overseas.

So for a fighter that could very well be the best 154-pounder in the world, his biggest enemy is inactivity. It seems like every time Andrade starts building some buzz and momentum, he disappears from the spotlight for a lengthy period of time. But perhaps this budding relationship with HBO can change all of that.