Carlos Adames

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Carlos Adames, born on May 7, 1994, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, embarked on his boxing journey under the influence of a deeply rooted sporting culture within his family. Growing up in a neighborhood where boxing provided a path away from the streets and toward discipline and achievement, Adames was drawn to the sport at a young age. He was introduced to boxing by his older brother, Juan Carlos Adames, who was also a professional fighter. This familial connection provided him with a unique insight into the sport and fostered his early interest and dedication.

 

Adames began training seriously in boxing as a teenager, quickly demonstrating a natural aptitude and fierce determination. His amateur career was marked by rapid development, thanks to his powerful style and ability to learn quickly from each match. He amassed a respectable record in the Dominican amateur boxing scene, becoming a national champion multiple times. This success on the national stage showcased his potential and laid a strong foundation for his future in boxing.

 

One of the highlights of his amateur career was participating in the 2012 Pan American Youth Championship. Although he did not win, the experience gained from competing against some of the top young talents from across the Americas was invaluable. Adames continued to refine his skills, participating in over 200 amateur fights, which honed his technique and prepared him well for the professional ranks. His transition to professional boxing was eagerly anticipated due to his successful amateur background, characterized by a combination of skill, power, and an aggressive fighting style that promised an exciting career ahead.

 

Professional Career

 

Carlos Adames, representing the Dominican Republic, showcased his boxing skills in the World Series of Boxing from 2014 to 2015, earning a record of 4 wins and 2 losses. He transitioned to professional boxing in July 2015, debuting against Jeff Souffrant and securing a unanimous decision victory after four rounds.

 

Continuing to rise through the ranks, Adames captured the vacant WBA Fedecaribe welterweight title in his seventh professional fight, defeating Kelly Figueroa. He didn’t slow down there; in his next match, he claimed the WBA Fedelatin title with a fourth-round technical knockout over Patrick Lopez.

 

A significant bout in July 2017 pitted Adames against seasoned welterweight contender Carlos Molina. Adames delivered a dominant performance, scoring a knockdown in the second round and winning by unanimous decision, though this victory marked the end of his ten-fight knockout streak. A scheduled fight against Frank Rojas was later cancelled when Adames failed to make weight.

 

On November 30, 2019, Adames faced a tough challenge against Patrick Teixeira for the vacant WBO interim super welterweight title. Despite a hard-fought battle, Adames lost to Teixeira by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 111–116, 113–114, and 113–114. Adames rebounded on December 5, 2021, with a significant win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko by majority decision, with scorecards showing 95-95, 93–97, and 94–96. This victory was a pivotal moment in his career.

 

On October 8, 2022, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, Adames faced Juan Macias Montiel for the WBC (Interim) Middleweight title, where he triumphed with a knockout in the third round. He defended this title against Julian “J-Rock” Williams on June 24, 2023, in Minneapolis, stopping Williams in the ninth round.

 

In a major career milestone, on May 7, 2024, hours after the reigning middleweight champion Jermall Charlo was stripped of his title due to a DWI incident, the WBC elevated Adames from interim to full champion of the middleweight division, cementing his status at the top of the sport.