On the Cusp: 10 fighters poised to make major breakthroughs in 2012

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE
Weight class: Junior middleweight
Age: 23
Record: 15-0 (10 KOs)
Region: Providence, R.I.
Skinny: The flashy 6-foot-1 southpaw raised his stature in the sport with strong showings in three consecutive appearances on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights series last year. Andrade outclassed two once-beaten fighters, Alberto Herrera (UD 8) and Omar Bell (TKO 2), before easily out-pointing experienced spoiler Grady Brewer over 10 rounds in August. The 2008 U.S. Olympian’s one-sided victory over Brewer, who was coming off a KO victory of undefeated Fernando Guerrero, was both impressive and disappointing. Andrade looked good handling the 40-year-old veteran, but he failed to do so in entertaining fashion. His mission for 2012 is to rekindle the excitement.
Strengths: Extensive amateur background… height, reach and southpaw stance… sharp technique and versatility… excellent hand and foot speed…  above average power… bright, affable personality.
Weaknesses: Tendency to box safety-first… questionable heart.