Carlos Adames Will Battle “J Rock” Williams June 24th

Interim WBC Middleweight Champion Carlos Adames will stay active, while patiently waiting for a possible shot at the current, but inactive, world champ, Jermall Charlo.

On Friday, Premier Boxing Champions and Showtime Boxing made official the fight card and details for Adames’ next bout with former former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams for June 24th from The Armory in Minneapolis.

From their official release:

“Adames (22-1, 17 KOs) has become a force in the middleweight division as he nears a chance to earn a world title opportunity at 160 pounds. Adames scored a career-best victory by overcoming top contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko in December 2021 and followed that up by knocking out Juan Macias Montiel in the third round to capture his interim belt last October. The 29-year-old Adames was born in Comendador, Dominican Republic and now lives in Washington Heights, New York.

He established himself as a contender with a slew of victories over the likes of former champion Carlos Molina, Frank Galarza, Joshua Conley and Alejandro Barrera, with his only defeat coming by narrow decision in a 2019 154-pound title fight against Patrick Teixeira.

“I’ve trained hard for this fight and I’m ready to defend my interim WBC middleweight title against Julian Williams, who we all know is a very tough fighter,” said Adames. “I’ve worked tirelessly to earn my way in the sport and I’m ready to prove I belong at the top of the middleweight division. I’m grateful for the opportunity to showcase my skills on SHOWTIME, and I’m determined to put on a great performance for the fans. On June 24 The Armory in Minneapolis will be electrifying. I’m coming to win.”

Philadelphia’s Williams (29-3-1, 16 KOs) became a unified world champion at 154-pounds in May 2019 when he upset Jarrett Hurd in one of the year’s best fights, winning a close-quarters brawl by unanimous decision. The 33-year-old dropped the titles in his first defense, losing to Jeison Rosario in January 2020, before coming up on the short end of a narrow decision to Vladimir Hernandez in October 2021. He most recently returned to his winning ways last November, dominating Rolando Mansilla at The Armory on his way to a unanimous decision

“Training has been going great and I’m extremely well-prepared for this fight,” said Williams. “I’ve just been grinding and making the best of everything that I have. I haven’t seen that much of him, so I’m preparing for anything Adames can bring. A win on June 24 would mean everything. This is what I strive for. It’s been a little choppy, but I’m just looking forward to a tough fight in Minneapolis.”

Charlo, has been inactive for 24 moths, yet the WBC has still taken no action towards him to either get in the ring and defend or be stripped, which would elevate Adames to world champion headed in to The Williams fight.

Action Expected in Co-feature

The co-feature bout that night will have Erickson “Hammer” Lubin, 24-2, 17 KOs, and Luis “Cuba” Arias, 20-3-1, 9 KOs, meet in the 10-round junior welterweight clash. Super flyweight world champ Fernando “Pumita” Martinez will put his IBF world title on the line against unbeaten Filipino contender Jade Bornea in the opener of the Showtime tripleheader.

It will be Lubin’s first bout, since he went toe to toe in an action packed bout with Sebastian Fundora before losing by late TKO. Lubin had won six fights in a row after a loss to Jermell Charlo in 2017.

“I’m looking forward to making my return on SHOWTIME,” said Lubin in the release. “Every fight is important and I treat them all the same. This one is no different because I’m coming in with a chip on my shoulder. I’m planning to dominate Luis Arias so I can get my rematches with Jermell Charlo and Sebastian Fundora. I want to avenge my defeats and that starts with a big performance on June 24. It’s ‘Hammer’ time on SHOWTIME.” 

Arias was  most recently dominated Jimmy Williams in May 2022 on his way to a unanimous decision and scored a career-best victory in June 2021, as he earned a decision over former unified champion Jarrett Hurd on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul Showitme PPV undercard.

“I’m back on the big stage and this time I’m staying here for the long haul,” said Arias. “I’m planning on bringing an all-out war as soon as the bell rings. June 24 has a great lineup, but this fight will definitely steal the show. I want to thank Floyd Mayweather and the Mayweather Promotions team for getting me this opportunity. I’m coming to make the most of it. War is coming!”

More from the Showtime release:

The undefeated Martinez (15-0, 8 KOs) became the first world champion promoted by his countryman, former two-division world champion Marcos Maidana, with a tremendous 115 lb. title win over Jerwin Ancajas on Showtime in February 2022.

The fellow Filipino Bornea (18-0, 12 KOs) will fight in the U.S. for only the second time later this month after earning a decision over Ernesto Delgadillo in their January 2020 clash. Since then, the 27-year-old has added three victories, including a pair of 2022 triumphs that saw him best Mohammed Obbadi in January and Ivan Meneses in August.