WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames won't be part of the Ring VI pay per view in New York Saturday night. This, after he reportedly passed out Friday morning trying to "weight cut" to the limit of 160 lb. and was hospitalized. Thus, cancelling his defense against Austin "Ammo" Williams.
Another middleweight world championship fight has gone by the wayside due to weight issues for the champion. This, as WBC titleholder Carlos Adames was unable to weigh-in Friday for his title defense on the undercard of Teofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson main event pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden.
The Dominican Adames was to have fought American contender Austin "Ammo" Williams in a scheduled 12 rounder, but became ill Friday morning, while trying to make the 160 lb limit.
Boxing Insider Dan Rafael reported Friday afternoon that Adames was apparently massively above the 160 lb limit just a couple of weeks ago and had to be hospitalized before the weigh ever took place Friday.
This was to have been the 31 year old Adames' latest defense after he fought a disputed draw with Hamzah Sheeraz in February of last year in Saudi Arabia. Adames seemed to be the busier fighter, landing the more significant punches, but the fight ended up a split draw when the decision was read.
In the photo above, Adames took part in the Thursday afternoon final press conference for the fights at the famed Garden. And, obviously, there was no indication at that time that he was badly overweight.
The hard punching Adames, 24-1-1, 18 KOs, was elevated to full WBC world champion status after beating Julian "J Rock" Williams by TKO9 in June of 2023. He also defeated Terrell Gausha by decision in June of 2024 to keep his status with the WBC.
However, Adames had a tough time getting regular title fights in the current boxing economic climate and from his promoter Premier Boxing Champions.
Adames' failure to make weight and hospitalization comes on the heels of unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, having similar weight problems and passing out prior to his December 3rd unification title fight against Erislandy Lara in San Antonio, TX. That bout was scrapped and Alimkhanuly has not yet been stripped of WBO and IBF championships for his failure to make weight.
It is likely that the WBC will strip Adames for failure to make weight and the cancellation of their title bout.
Rafael further reported the Turki Alashikh and the co-promoters for pay per view are attempting to find an alternative opponent for Williams to still stay on the card. There is a WBC featherweight world title fight involving New York's Bruce "Shu Shu" Carrington that likely will be elevated on the Pay-Per-View to replace what would have been the Adames title defense.