It was announced today at the Rhode Island State House that undefeated former WBO jr. middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade will return to the ring on October 17 when he takes on Dario Fabian Pucheta that will take place at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The bout will be contested for the WBO International jr. middleweight belt. Andrade (21-0, 14 KOs) will be returning for the first time in 16 months after having his world title stripped due to inactivity.

Pucheta of Benos Aires, Argentina has a record of 20-2 with 11 knockouts. The 28-year-old has won three in a row which includes his last bout when he stopped Bethuel Ushona (32-2) on October 4, 2014 in Windhoek, Namibia.

“It’s about time that I get back in the ring. I am happy to be fighting at home in front of my fans. It is the most comfortable place in the world to be, and I look forward to regaining my title and defending in front all my loyal fans. I just want to thank them for their support during the last year. I look forward to seeing all of my fans at the fight,” said Andrade.

“I am looking forward to Demetrius getting back in the ring. We have been in the gym training hard, and he will be ready to put on a good performance on October 17,” said Andrade’s father/trainer, Paul Andrade

“I am very excited about Demetrius getting back in the ring. He is one of the top jr. middleweights in the world. I predict within a year that he will be fighting for and winning the jr. middleweight championship of the world for a second time,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.

Said Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing, “I am thrilled that Demetrius is back. I have always felt he has the ability to be the best in the world, and I expect that within the next year he will be an undefeated 2-time world champ.”

“We are thrilled to bring our Olympian and former world champion Demetrius Andrade back to New England. This is where Demetrius grew up, honed his skills and developed into the championship-caliber fighter he is today, both in and out of the ring. Furthermore, we’re honored to bring this event to one of our favorite venues, Mohegan Sun Casino, and to work in association with two of the most trustworthy, honest and hardest-working promoters in professional boxing, Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing. They are more than just colleagues; they are lifelong friends. With the three of us working together, this event will continue to raise the bar and set the standard for professional boxing in the northeast,” said Jimmy Burchfield, president of CES Boxing.