Carlos Adames
Carlos Adames (born May 7, 1994) is a Dominican professional boxer and the current World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion, a title he has held since May 2024.[1] Known by the nickname "Caballo Bronco" for his powerful and aggressive style, Adames competes in the 160-pound division and is recognized for his knockout prowess and pressure-fighting tactics.[2] Adames was born in Comendador, in the Elias Piña province of the Dominican Republic, as the 33rd of 35 siblings in a large family from humble beginnings.[2] He grew up with seven siblings at home at any given time and was encouraged to pursue boxing by his older brother, Angel Santiago Adames, a former amateur boxer, to help him avoid trouble in his youth.[2] Adames began training at age 12 and achieved significant success in the amateur ranks, compiling a record of 273 wins and 7 losses while earning gold medals at the 2012 Pan American Youth Championships, the 2012 Dominican Republic Youth National Championships, the 2013 Bolivarian Games, the 2013 AIBA Youth World Championships, and the 2015 Jose Cheo Aponte Tournament.[2] He also represented the Dominican Republic in the World Series of Boxing from 2014 to 2015.[2] Turning professional in July 2015, Adames quickly established himself with six straight victories, three by first-round knockout, and built an undefeated record of 17-0 before suffering his lone defeat—a unanimous decision loss to Patrick Teixeira on November 30, 2019.[3] He rebounded strongly, capturing the vacant WBC interim middleweight title with a third-round technical knockout over Juan Macías Montiel on October 8, 2022, and defended it with a controversial ninth-round stoppage of former unified champion Julian Williams on June 24, 2023.[4] Following Jermall Charlo's stripping of the full WBC title due to inactivity, Adames was elevated to full WBC champion on May 7, 2024.[1] He made his first defense with a unanimous decision victory over Terrell Gausha on June 15, 2024, and retained the belt via split draw against Hamzah Sheeraz on February 22, 2025. As of November 2025, his professional record stands at 24 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, with 18 knockouts.[3] Now based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and trained by Ismael Salas, Adames is promoted by Premier Boxing Champions and aims to unify the middleweight division.[2]Early life and amateur career
Early life
Carlos Adames was born on May 7, 1994, in Comendador, Elías Piña Province, Dominican Republic.[5] He was the 33rd of 35 children, with 22 brothers and 12 sisters.[6] Adames grew up in extreme poverty amid these challenging family circumstances, which fueled his determination to pursue athletics as a means of overcoming hardship.[5] At age 12, Adames was introduced to boxing through local gyms in the Dominican Republic, largely motivated by his older brother Ángel Santiago Adames, a former amateur boxer who was injured in a motorcycle accident and could no longer compete, encouraging him to take up the sport to make it happen for both.[7][5][2] This entry into boxing was further shaped by the strong national tradition of the sport in the Dominican Republic, where figures like early world champions inspired young athletes in rural areas.[8] Adames later settled in the New York area.[9]Amateur career
Carlos Adames compiled an impressive amateur boxing record of 273 wins and 7 losses, showcasing his talent from a young age while representing the Dominican Republic in various national and international competitions.[2][5] Among his key achievements, Adames secured a gold medal in the middleweight division at the 2012 Pan American Youth Championships held in Portoviejo, Ecuador, where he defeated opponents including Jonathan Soares of Brazil in a close 22-21 decision en route to the title.[10][2] That same year, he claimed another gold at the Dominican Republic Youth National Championships, solidifying his status as a top prospect in his home country.[2] In 2013, Adames added a gold medal from the Bolivarian Games, further highlighting his growing prowess on the regional stage.[2] Adames also competed in the 2015 Jose Cheo Aponte Tournament in Caguas, Puerto Rico, earning yet another gold medal, and participated in the World Series of Boxing from 2014 to 2015, where he represented the Dominican Republic and posted a 4-2 record.[2][11] His training during this period was primarily based in the Dominican Republic, beginning at age 12 in Comendador under the encouragement of his brother, Angel Santiago Adames, and guided by local coaches who helped build his foundational skills in technique and conditioning.[2] After exhausting his amateur opportunities, including strong showings in youth and junior international events, Adames decided to turn professional in 2015, marking the end of a distinguished competitive journey that prepared him for the demands of the paid ranks.[2][12]Professional career
Professional debut and early bouts (2015–2018)
Carlos Adames made his professional boxing debut on July 24, 2015, defeating previously unbeaten Jeff Souffrant by unanimous decision over four rounds at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple in New York.[2] At age 21, the Dominican welterweight showcased his technical skills and power in his initial foray into the pros, following a distinguished amateur career.[12] Adames quickly built momentum with a string of stoppage victories in his next five bouts throughout 2015, all occurring within four months. Notable among these were first-round TKOs against Rudy Lozano on October 7 and Jose Vidal Soto on October 22, demonstrating his aggressive style and knockout potential against modest opposition.[2] He closed the year with a second-round TKO over Deivis Casseres on November 19 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, extending his record to 6-0 with five stoppages.[2] These early fights, often promoted under DiBella Entertainment's Broadway Boxing series, helped Adames gain exposure on U.S. cards while competing primarily at welterweight.[13] In 2016, Adames continued his undefeated streak, securing four more wins, all by stoppage, to reach 10-0 by year's end. Highlights included a fourth-round RTD victory over Kelly Figueroa in February and a first-round KO of John Renteria in December, both in Santo Domingo.[2] His knockout ratio stood at 90% through this period, underscoring his development as a power puncher.[2] Adames fought frequently in the Dominican Republic during this time, building experience against regional contenders. The following two years saw Adames maintain his perfect record while transitioning toward the super welterweight division. In 2017, he notched three victories, including a unanimous decision over veteran Carlos Molina over 11 rounds on July 26—his first pro fight going the distance since his debut—and stoppages against Jean Carlos Prada and Adrian Perez.[2] By early 2018, with a 13-0 record (11 KOs), Adames signed a multiyear promotional deal with Top Rank, signaling his rising profile.[12] He capped the period with a 10-round unanimous decision over Alejandro Barrera in May and a second-round TKO of Joshua Conley in October, competing at weights up to 154 pounds and solidifying his foundation for higher-level competition.[2]Breakthrough fights and regional success (2019–2021)
In 2019, Adames began to build momentum in the super welterweight division with a series of impressive victories that showcased his power and resilience. On January 19, he stopped Juan Ruiz via third-round TKO at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, dropping Ruiz multiple times before the referee halted the bout. Later that year, on April 13 at Madison Square Garden in New York, Adames secured a fourth-round TKO against once-beaten contender Frank Galarza, who was floored in the final round to end the fight decisively. These stoppages highlighted Adames' aggressive style and knockout ability, contributing to his rising profile within the division. Adames continued his ascent on June 29, 2019, defeating the experienced Patrick Day by unanimous decision over 10 rounds at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California, in a fight that tested his endurance against a durable opponent. However, his progress was interrupted on November 30, 2019, when he suffered his first professional loss, a unanimous decision defeat to Patrick Teixeira in a 12-round bout for the WBO interim super welterweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada; Adames was knocked down in the seventh round but rallied late. This setback, while challenging, motivated Adames to refine his approach during a year-long hiatus prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Returning in 2021 at middleweight, Adames demonstrated renewed focus with dominant performances that solidified his status as a contender. On March 13, he claimed a sixth-round TKO victory over Brahian Jose Medina at the Santo Domingo Country Club in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, dropping Medina twice earlier in the fight. Three months later, on June 26 in Atlanta, Georgia, Adames delivered a third-round knockout against Alexis Salazar Flores at State Farm Arena, ending the bout with a devastating right hand that left Flores unable to continue. These quick stoppages against solid opposition underscored Adames' punching power and marked his successful transition to 160 pounds. The pinnacle of Adames' 2019–2021 period came on December 5, 2021, when he faced highly ranked middleweight Sergiy Derevyanchenko in a WBC title eliminator at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. In a grueling 10-round majority decision win (97-93, 96-94, 95-95), Adames overcame Derevyanchenko's pressure and volume punching, landing heavier shots to secure the victory and avenge stylistic vulnerabilities exposed in his prior loss. This triumph over the No. 3-ranked WBC middleweight propelled Adames into the top 10 across major sanctioning bodies by late 2021, including No. 9 in the WBA middleweight rankings, positioning him for world title contention.[14][15]Adames vs. Derevyanchenko
On December 5, 2021, Carlos Adames faced Sergiy Derevyanchenko in a WBC middleweight title eliminator bout at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.[16] Entering the fight, Derevyanchenko, a 34-year-old Ukrainian southpaw and 2000 Olympian, held a record of 13-3 with notable losses in close decisions to IBF champions Daniel Jacobs in 2018 and 2019, as well as to WBO champion Demetrius Andrade in 2019. Adames, then 27 and riding a three-fight winning streak following his only professional loss, entered with a 20-1 record and aimed to solidify his status as a contender in the 160-pound division.[17] The 10-round contest was a high-intensity affair marked by competitive exchanges and heavy artillery from both fighters. Adames, switching between orthodox and southpaw stances, started strongly, landing a left uppercut and overhand left in the opening round to set an aggressive tone.[16] In rounds two through four, he controlled the pace with precise jabs, counters, and a right cross in the fourth that briefly staggered Derevyanchenko, though the Ukrainian responded with resilience.[18] Derevyanchenko gained momentum in the middle rounds, pressing forward and landing a significant left hand in the fifth, but Adames' footwork and power shots kept the bout close, with both men absorbing punishment in toe-to-toe action.[15] As the fight progressed into the later rounds, Adames' relentless pressure and body work began to wear on Derevyanchenko, who remained durable but appeared fatigued from the constant exchanges. Adames maintained his output, using combinations to outland his opponent in volume and connect with cleaner power punches, particularly in rounds eight and nine.[16] The tenth round saw Derevyanchenko mount a final push, but Adames' defensive savvy and counterpunching secured the edge. In the end, the judges scored it a majority decision for Adames: 95-95 (even), 97-93, and 96-94. The victory improved Adames' record to 21-1 (16 KOs) and earned him the mandatory challenger position for the WBC middleweight title, marking his breakthrough onto the world stage against a seasoned title challenger.[16] Derevyanchenko fell to 13-4 (10 KOs), later expressing no dispute over the decision but disappointment in the outcome.[19] This performance highlighted Adames' evolution as a pressure fighter capable of competing at elite levels, paving the way for his subsequent pursuit of championship gold.Adames vs. Williams
On June 24, 2023, Carlos Adames defended his WBC interim middleweight title against Julian Williams at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[20] Williams, a former IBF super welterweight champion who had previously unified titles at 154 pounds, entered the bout with a professional record of 28-3-1 (16 KOs).[21] The 12-round scheduled fight showcased Adames' aggressive style against Williams' technical boxing, with Adames ultimately securing a ninth-round technical knockout victory at 2:45.[22] Throughout the bout, Adames employed effective counterpunching to disrupt Williams' advances, landing heavy body shots that slowed his opponent early and buckled his legs on multiple occasions.[23] In the ninth round, Adames intensified his assault, opening a cut over Williams' right eye with precise head shots and battering him along the ropes with power punches, including a right hand that snapped Williams' head back.[24] Referee Mark Nelson halted the action with 15 seconds remaining, deeming Williams unable to intelligently defend himself despite his protests.[25] The victory retained Adames' interim title and improved his record to 23-1 (18 KOs).[26] Post-fight, judges had Adames ahead on all cards (78-74, 80-72, and 77-74 through eight rounds), and media coverage highlighted his devastating knockout power, though the stoppage drew controversy from Williams and his corner who called it premature.[23] The performance solidified Adames' status as the WBC's mandatory challenger for the full middleweight crown.[24]Championship elevation and first defense
In May 2024, the World Boxing Council (WBC) stripped Jermall Charlo of the middleweight title due to his prolonged inactivity and recent legal issues, including an arrest for driving while intoxicated, elevating Carlos Adames from interim champion to the full WBC middleweight champion.[27][28] Adames had held the interim belt since October 2022, following a third-round knockout victory over Juan Macias Montiel, and successfully defended it once against Julian Williams in June 2023.[27][29] This promotion marked a significant milestone for the 29-year-old Dominican fighter, positioning him as the organization's top champion at 160 pounds just weeks before his scheduled bout.[30] With less than five weeks to prepare following the elevation on May 8, Adames adjusted his training camp in Las Vegas, focusing on maintaining his aggressive pressure style while incorporating defensive refinements to counter Gausha's technical boxing.[31] The promotional buildup emphasized Adames' role as the co-main event on the Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin pay-per-view card, highlighting his knockout power and undefeated streak in title fights as interim holder.[32] Adames made his first defense as full champion against Terrell Gausha on June 15, 2024, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.[32] In a 12-round bout, Adames dominated with superior volume and pressure, outlanding Gausha in power shots despite both fighters connecting on 107 total punches according to CompuBox statistics.[33] He won by unanimous decision with scores of 119-109, 118-110, and 118-110, breaking a potential knockout streak but showcasing control through consistent combinations and footwork that neutralized Gausha's counters.[32][34] The victory improved Adames' record to 24-1 (18 KOs) and solidified his position as the WBC middleweight champion, earning praise for his tactical maturity in a high-stakes defense against the experienced American Olympian.[35][32]Adames vs. Gausha
On June 15, 2024, Carlos Adames defended his WBC middleweight title for the first time as the full champion against Terrell Gausha at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.[32] Gausha, a 2012 U.S. Olympian and seasoned contender entering with a record of 24-3-1 (12 KOs), represented a test of Adames' adaptability against a technically sound boxer known for his defensive prowess and counterpunching.[36] The bout, part of the undercard for Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin, showcased Adames' aggressive style in a 12-round main event opener on Prime Video pay-per-view. Adames applied relentless forward pressure from the opening bell, stalking Gausha and landing combinations to the body and head while Gausha relied on movement and jabs to keep distance.[37] Gausha had competitive moments, particularly in the middle rounds where he connected with sharp counters, but Adames' volume and power gradually wore down his opponent. A brief interruption occurred in the 11th round due to a low blow from Adames, but he recovered to dominate the final exchanges.[32] The fight lacked dramatic shifts, with Adames controlling the pace through consistent aggression rather than seeking a knockout, ending his streak of finishes in prior bouts.[33] Adames won by unanimous decision with scores of 119-109, 118-110, and 118-110, retaining his title and improving his record to 24-1 (18 KOs).[32] In post-fight comments, Adames expressed satisfaction with the victory, emphasizing his growth as a champion and openness to unification opportunities.[38] Gausha, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Adames' strength while questioning the margin of the scorecards.[32] This win marked Adames' first title defense on U.S. soil, solidifying his position in the division and extending his winning streak to 10 fights.[34]Adames vs. Sheeraz
On February 22, 2025, Carlos Adames defended his WBC middleweight title against undefeated British prospect Hamzah Sheeraz in a highly anticipated bout held at The Venue during Riyadh Season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[39][40] Sheeraz, entering with a 21-0 record and riding a 15-fight knockout streak, aimed to capture his first world championship, leveraging his 79-inch reach and technical boxing style honed through victories over regional contenders.[41][40] Adames, the 30-year-old Dominican champion with prior successful defenses, sought to solidify his reign against the rising 25-year-old challenger.[39] The 12-round contest unfolded as a tactical battle marked by competitive exchanges, where Sheeraz's reach advantage allowed him to control the early rounds with precise jabbing and footwork, keeping Adames at bay.[39][40] However, Adames' relentless aggression gradually closed the distance, as he pressed forward with body work and power shots, landing cleaner punches in the middle rounds—including a notable overhand right in the eighth that tested Sheeraz's chin.[40] Sheeraz responded effectively in the 11th with a thudding right hand, but Adames dominated the final round, outlanding his opponent significantly in power punches throughout the latter stages according to CompuBox statistics, which showed Adames connecting on 143 of 509 total punches compared to Sheeraz's 135 of 478.[41][42] The fight concluded in a split draw after 12 rounds, with judges' scorecards reading 118-110 for Adames, 115-114 for Sheeraz, and 114-114, allowing Adames to retain his title despite the controversial verdict.[39][40] The wide 118-110 card in particular drew widespread criticism for overlooking Sheeraz's early dominance and Adames' late rally, fueling debates over scoring inconsistencies in international bouts.[41] Post-fight, Adames improved to 24-1-1 (18 KOs), while Sheeraz's record became 21-0-1 (17 KOs); the Dominican expressed confidence in his performance but acknowledged the closeness, and Sheeraz, hampered by a hand injury, vowed to return stronger without excuses.[39][40] Media and fan reactions highlighted the draw as a pivotal, if unsatisfying, moment in Adames' championship tenure, often labeled a potential "robbery" favoring the incumbent due to the disputed scoring, which intensified calls for a rematch to settle the rivalry.[41][39] Outlets like ESPN and BBC noted how the outcome elevated Sheeraz's profile while exposing vulnerabilities in Adames' pressure fighting against taller opponents, marking the fight as a turning point that tested the champion's resilience amid growing scrutiny.[40][41]Titles and accomplishments
Major titles
Carlos Adames captured the vacant WBC interim middleweight title on October 8, 2022, with a third-round technical knockout victory over Juan Macías Montiel at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.[43] This win marked his entry into world title contention in the middleweight division, showcasing his aggressive pressure style and knockout power. He defended the interim championship once, stopping Julian Williams in the ninth round on June 24, 2023, at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in a performance that solidified his status as a top contender despite some controversy over the stoppage.[26] On May 7, 2024, following the stripping of Jermall Charlo's full WBC middleweight title due to inactivity, Adames was elevated to the undisputed full WBC middleweight champion by the organization's Board of Governors.[1] He made his first successful defense of the full title against Terrell Gausha on June 15, 2024, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, securing a unanimous decision victory with scores of 119-109, 118-110, and 118-110 after dominating the 12-round bout. Adames made his second defense against Hamzah Sheeraz on February 22, 2025, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the fight ended in a contentious 12-round split draw with scores of 118-110 for Adames, 115-114 for Sheeraz, and 114-114.[44] This result allowed him to retain the WBC middleweight title amid debate over the scoring, highlighting his resilience in a competitive matchup.Awards and rankings
Adames has earned top rankings in the middleweight division, reflecting his status as a leading contender and champion. He holds the No. 1 position in the WBC middleweight rankings as the organization's world champion since his elevation in May 2024.[45] In The Ring magazine's rankings, Adames is positioned at No. 2 among middleweights as of September 2025.[46] ESPN similarly ranks him No. 2 in the division as of November 2025.[47] Following his majority decision victory over former title challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko in December 2021, Adames gained widespread recognition as an emerging force in boxing. He was subsequently featured in ESPN's annual top 100 men's boxers list, debuting in 2022 at No. 74 and climbing to higher placements in subsequent years, underscoring his rapid ascent.[48] The Ring has also profiled him prominently in divisional analyses, highlighting his knockout power and potential for stardom post-Derevyanchenko.[49] As WBC champion, Adames' profile has attracted interest in unification opportunities, including protracted negotiations in 2025 for a bout against WBO and IBF titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly, which ultimately stalled amid reported hesitations from Adames' camp.[50] By late 2025, the WBC has ordered him to defend against mandatory challenger Meiirim Nursultanov, positioning him for further high-stakes matchups.[51]Boxing style
Strengths and techniques
Carlos Adames, known by the nickname "Caballo Bronco," earned this moniker for his relentless, charging style in the ring, evoking the image of a wild bronco with its combination of strength, speed, and unyielding aggression.[2][5] Adames fights primarily from an orthodox stance, though he demonstrates versatility by occasionally switching stances mid-fight to adapt to opponents.[3][5] His key strengths include devastating punching power, particularly in his left hook and body attacks, which have contributed to a 75% knockout ratio across his 24 professional wins, with 18 stoppages.[2][3] For instance, he has floored opponents with a precise left hook and delivered fight-ending body shots, such as a right hook to the midsection that halted Juan Ruiz.[2] Adames employs high-volume combinations to overwhelm foes, maintaining an explosive pressure style that breaks down defenses over the course of a bout.[2] His excellent stamina allows him to sustain this intensity through 12-round championship fights, as evidenced by his consistent output in decisions like the unanimous victory over Terrell Gausha.[2] In terms of footwork, Adames excels at forward pressure to cut off the ring, using agile movement to close distances effectively against taller opponents and limit their mobility.[2][52] This power is underscored by his stoppage fights often concluding in under six rounds on average, reflecting an overall career average of 5.3 rounds per bout across 26 professional contests.[53][3]Criticisms and evolution
Adames' aggressive forward pressure, a hallmark of his brawling style, has occasionally exposed vulnerabilities to counterpunching. In his 2019 unanimous decision loss to Patrick Teixeira for the interim WBO junior middleweight title, Adames was knocked down in the seventh round after advancing recklessly, leading to visible fatigue and diminished output in the later rounds as Teixeira outworked him on the scorecards of 116-111, 114-113, and 114-113.[54] This tendency resurfaced in his February 2025 WBC middleweight title defense against Hamzah Sheeraz, resulting in a controversial split draw scored 114-114, 115-114 for Sheeraz, and 118-110 for Adames. Adames outlanded Sheeraz 143 to 135 in total punches but absorbed significant counters during heated exchanges, with many analysts and fans arguing the Dominican's aggression warranted a victory despite Sheeraz's height advantage and late rally.[55] Since that sole defeat, Adames has demonstrated notable evolution, compiling a 6-0-1 record with 3 knockouts while transitioning toward a more measured approach in high-stakes bouts. His unanimous decision win over Terrell Gausha in June 2024, where he landed 107 of 499 punches to Gausha's 107 of 589 over 12 close rounds, highlighted improved stamina and selective aggression, avoiding the overextension seen earlier in his career.[33] Under trainer Ismael Salas, Adames has refined his overall ring generalship, blending his power with better shot selection to secure defenses without unnecessary risks.[2] As the reigning WBC middleweight champion, Adames faces opportunities for unification against holders like Janibek Alimkhanuly (IBF/WBO), necessitating further development in distance management against rangy opponents to mitigate counter threats.[56]Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Win | 1–0–0 | Jeff Souffrant | UD | 4 | 2015-07-24 | Brooklyn Masonic Temple, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0–0 | Juan Carlos Santos Guillen | 2015-08-15 | Multiuso Leo Tavarez, Higuey, Dominican Republic | |||
| 3 | Win | 3–0–0 | Rasheed Olawale Lawal | 2015-09-15 | Resorts World Casino, Queens, New York, U.S. | |||
| 4 | Win | 4–0–0 | Rudy Lozano | 2015-10-15 | B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York, New York, U.S. | |||
| 5 | Win | 5–0–0 | Jose Vidal Soto | 2015-10-15 | Casa de los Clubes, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | |||
| 6 | Win | 6–0–0 | Deivis Casseres | 2015-11-15 | Salón la Fiesta, Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | |||
| 7 | Win | 7–0–0 | Kelly Figueroa | 2016-02-16 | Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | |||
| 8 | Win | 8–0–0 | Patrick Lopez | 2016-04-16 | Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Lopez down once in rounds 1, 3 and 4 | ||
| 9 | Win | 9–0–0 | Ivan Alvarez | 2016-09-16 | Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Álvarez down twice | ||
| 10 | Win | 10–0–0 | John Renteria | 2016-12-16 | Maunoloa Night Club y Casino, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | |||
| 11 | Win | 11–0–0 | Jean Carlos Prada | 2017-02-17 | Maunoloa Night Club y Casino, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | |||
| 12 | Win | 12–0–0 | Carlos Molina | 2017-07-17 | Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Adames knocked Molina down in second round | ||
| 13 | Win | 13–0–0 | Adrian Perez | 2017-11-17 | Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | |||
| 14 | Win | 14–0–0 | Alejandro Barrera | 2018-05-18 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, U.S. | |||
| 15 | Win | 15–0–0 | Joshua Conley | 2018-10-18 | CHI Health Center, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | Conley heavy, title not on the line for him | ||
| 16 | Win | 16–0–0 | Juan Ruiz | TKO | 3 | 2019-01-19 | Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0–0 | Frank Galarza | TKO | 4 | 2019-04-19 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, U.S. | Galarza down from a left hook in the 4th |
| 18 | Win | 18–0–0 | Patrick Day | UD | 10 | 2019-06-28 | Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. | |
| 19 | Loss | 18–1–0 | Patrick Teixeira | UD | 12 | 2019-11-30 | Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Adames down in round seven; for WBO interim super welterweight title |
| 20 | Win | 19–1–0 | Brahian Jose Medina | TKO | 6, 0:17 | 2021-03-12 | Hotel Catalonia Malecon Center, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Medina down in rounds 1 and 3 |
| 21 | Win | 20–1–0 | Alexis Salazar Flores | TKO | 3 | 2021-06-26 | State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 21–1–0 | Sergiy Derevyanchenko | MD | 12 | 2021-12-05 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 22–1–0 | Juan Macias Montiel | TKO | 3 | 2022-10-08 | Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S. | Vacant WBC interim middleweight title; Montiel stopped while standing |
| 24 | Win | 23–1–0 | Julian Williams | TKO | 9 | 2023-06-24 | The Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | Retained WBC interim middleweight title |
| 25 | Win | 24–1–0 | Terrell Gausha | UD | 12 | 2024-06-15 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC middleweight title |
| 26 | Draw | 24–1–1 | Hamzah Sheeraz | SD | 12 | 2025-02-22 | Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Retained WBC middleweight title[3] |