Early knockdown sets tone as Adames controls fight over twelve rounds
Carlos Adames (25-1-1, 18 KOs) retained the WBC middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Austin Williams (20-2, 13 KOs) on March 21 at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. The win keeps Adames at the front of the WBC middleweight picture, with no confirmed next challenger.
Williams had a steady opening round, stepping in trying to close distance, but Adames adjusted quickly. In the second, he let the right hand go twice in succession, the second punch putting Williams down. Williams beat the count, but the tone had been established.
Adames worked behind a firm jab and straight right, keeping Williams at the end of his punches. He picked his spots, mixing in hooks and body shots while stepping around to keep the fight at his range. Williams tried to press forward, but he spent too much time following and not enough time cutting off the ring or setting his feet to let combinations go.
Rounds three through five followed a similar pattern. Adames stayed composed, punching with accuracy and making Williams pay when he reached in. Williams had effort, but his workrate came in patches and he struggled to build sustained offense.
The sixth round saw both fighters stand and trade more willingly, exchanging hooks and short right hands on the inside. Williams had his best spell there, but Adames answered back with tighter punches and better timing.
Adames returned to long range in rounds seven through nine. Williams pushed hard in round ten, stepping in with more urgency and letting his hands go. He landed a solid left hand late in the round, one of his better moments of the fight, but Adames remained composed and answered back enough to steady the round.
In the eleventh, a right hand from Adames knocked Williams’ mouthpiece out, another sign of the champion’s control of the exchanges. Williams came out for the final round pressing again, trying to force a late shift, but Adames stayed disciplined. A point deduction for a low blow did little to affect the outcome.
The judges scored the fight 118-108 and 117-109 twice, all for Adames.
Adames’ jab and right hand dictated the distance throughout. Williams showed determination and had moments when he let his hands go, but he was unable to consistently work his way inside or sustain pressure over the full twelve rounds.
With the win, Adames keeps his hold on the WBC belt and showed he can manage a hard twelve-round fight by controlling distance, picking his shots, and maintaining his workrate.
Other results:
Jaycob Gomez (14-1-1, 8) lost a 10-round unanimous decision to Corey Markman (13-0-1, 9), scores 98-92, 98-92, 96-94.
Omari Jones (6-0, 4) defeated Christian Gomez (23-7-1, 21) by 8-round unanimous decision, scores 80-72 x3.
Teremoana Teremoana (10-0, 10) knocked out Curtis Harper (19-12, 13) at 2:59 of round 1 (scheduled 8).
