Carlos Adames Vacates Middleweight Crown to Enter Loaded 168-Pound Title Race

The middleweight landscape has officially been turned upside down. Carlos Adames, the reigning WBC 160-pound champion, has vacated his title to move up to the super middleweight division, declaring his arrival in one of boxing's most talent-rich weight classes.[1]

Adames made the decision shortly after a dominant title defense against Austin "Ammo" Williams in March. In that bout, the 32-year-old Dominican dropped Williams in the second round and cruised to a wide unanimous decision, outlanding his opponent 254 to 127. With nothing left to prove at 160 pounds, Adames took to social media to announce his ascent: "I make 160 very easily, but I'll make 168 shake even more—here I come. Tell 168 that Bronco has arrived."[1]

The departure leaves a massive void at middleweight. The 160-pound division is currently thin at the top, compounded by unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly dealing with a PED scandal. Adames' exit paves the way for WBC interim champion Jesus Ramos to be elevated to full champion status, while rising contenders like Yoenli Hernandez look to capitalize on the newly opened real estate.[1]

But for Adames, the focus is entirely on the 168-pound shark tank. Super middleweight is currently ruled by a mix of established legends and surging knockout artists. Two-time undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez continues to loom large, while Christian Mbilli holds the WBC crown, Armando Resendez defends the WBA belt, and Osleys Iglesias reigns as the IBF titleholder.[1]

Adames, however, has his sights set on one specific target: Hamzah Sheeraz. The two fought to a highly disputed split draw for the WBC middleweight title in Riyadh in February 2025, a grueling tactical battle that left both men feeling they deserved the victory. One judge scored the bout 118-110 for Adames, another 115-114 for Sheeraz, and the third a 114-114 draw.[1][2]

Following that draw, Sheeraz moved up to super middleweight and found immediate success. The British star knocked out Edgar Berlanga in July 2025 and subsequently captured the WBO World Super Middleweight title by defeating Alem Begic at the Pyramids of Giza in May 2026.[1][3]

Now that both men are campaigning at 168 pounds, Adames is demanding a sequel to settle the score. "I was the one who beat him," Adames stated following his final middleweight bout. "If he wants vengeance, then he should send me the offer."[1]

The addition of Adames to the super middleweight ranks guarantees fireworks for the remainder of 2026. Known for his explosive power and ability to dictate distance with a heavy jab and punishing right hand, Adames brings a championship pedigree that immediately threatens the division's current hierarchy.[4]

As the sanctioning bodies formalize the vacant middleweight belts and the super middleweight champions map out their fall schedules, the global boxing standings have fundamentally shifted. Adames has traded the comfort of a division he ruled for the chaos of a division where every top-ten matchup is a blockbuster.[1]