Carlos Adames scored himself a successful title defense live on Showtime, besting Julian Williams. Adames retained his interim WBC middleweight title from The Armory in Minneapolis.
Carlos Adames Defends Title Live On Showtime
Reigning interim WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames defended his title with a finish of Julian Williams. The bout served as the headline fight live on Showtime from The Armory in Minneapolis.
The early rounds saw good back and forth action, as Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) appeared to wobble Williams (28-4-1, 16 KOs) in round two, forcing Williams to hold on and survive the rest of the round.
After Adames opened up a cut under Williams’ right eye in round three, Williams showed his championship pedigree in rebounding to land several big power shots and control most of the round.
“I’m so thankful to everyone who came out here and gave me support today and all week,” Adames said. “We gave the fans a great fight and I accomplished my goal, which was walking out of here with the title.”
The Dominican Republic’s Adames broke through once again in round nine, upping his activity again and staggering Williams with a series of power shots.
Williams showed his consummate ring IQ and grit by doing everything he could to keep Adames from delivering a decisive blow, however referee Mark Nelson stepped in and called an end to the fight 2:45 into the round.
“I really don’t know how he survived the fourth round, but he’s a veteran,” Adames said. “He’s got skills and that’s what got him through that round.”
Erickson Lubin Finishes Luis Arias In Fifth
Top super welterweight contender Erickson Lubin earned his 25th career win, stopping Luis Arias.
Lubin picked up his 18th knockout when the 10-round fight was stopped in the fifth round.
Lubin, who was returning to the ring for the first time since losing to Sebastian Fundora in a 2022 Fight of the Year, was the cleaner puncher throughout the five rounds, consistently landing a variety of shots.
“I felt like I was landing my shots pretty well,” Lubin said. “He was a lot slower than I was and I was able to see everything he had coming. I felt good. I’ve been in the gym since my Fundora loss and I’m ready for them all.”
In Other Action
In the telecast opener, undefeated 115-pound world champion Fernando “Puma” Martinez (16-0, 9 KOs) delivered a dominating performance to defend his IBF title by 11th-round TKO over the previously unbeaten Jade Bornea (18-1, 12 KOs).
Burley Brooks scored a decision over Caleb Truax, Jerwin Ancajas finished Wilner Soto and Mickel Spencer vs. Lyle McFarlane was declared a no-contest.
