WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames has signed a multi-fight deal with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
The 32-year-old from Elias Pina, Dominican Republic, has defended his middleweight title three times, including a controversial draw with Hamzah Sheeraz last year.
Last time out, Adames scored a comfortable unanimous decision over Austin Williams in Orlando, Florida.
After winning the interim WBC strap in 2022, Adames was elevated to full champion two years later when longtime titleholder Jermall Charlo was stripped.
He then made his first defence against Terrell Gausha in Las Vegas.
“This is a new chapter in my career, and I’m here to make history,” Adames, 25-1-1 with 18 knockouts in his 11-year professional career, said.
“Zuffa Boxing is building something special, and I want to be part of it.
“I’m ready to face the best fighters in the world on the biggest stage. The best of ‘Caballo Bronco’ is yet to come.”
Zuffa Boxing now has three 160lbs champs
After beating Williams, Adams expressed his desire to move up to super-middleweight.
However, his Zuffa Boxing signing opens plenty of doors for him at 160lbs.
The news of his addition to the promotion co-founded by UFC CEO Dana White and Saudi string-puller Turki Alalshikh comes just a week after WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley also joined.
Bentley is set to make his Zuffa Boxing debut against Shane Mosley Jr next month, but it seems Adames is targeting the third middleweight champion signed to the roster, IBF titleholder Aaron McKenna.
MIddleweight (160lbs)
World champions
- WBA – Erislandy Lara
- WBC – Carlos Adames
- IBF – Aaron McKenna
- WBO – Denzel Bentley
Esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael has reported that McKenna’s manager, Mike Borao, would ‘love’ a unification fight with the undefeated Irishman next year.
McKenna claimed the vacant IBF title in Dublin two months ago with a points win over Etinosa Oliha.
“I hope so,” Adames said in response to Rafael’s report.
“Save this post on X, because you’re going to need it.”
He added: “No more excuses. No more running. I’m on the biggest stage, ready to face the best. Line them up!”
An announcement regarding Adames’ Zuffa Boxing debut is expected very soon.
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