Carlos Adams is still a title holder, though not without controversy.
The WBC interim middleweight champion successfully defended his belt against Julian Williams (28-4-1, 16 KOs) on Saturday in Minneapolis and although Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) pulled out with a knockout win, it was immediately protested On being stopped by TKO by his opponent.
Watch the ending sequence below.
Adames would land powerful punches and press Williams against the ropes, but just as Williams began to fight back referee Mark Nilsson stepped in to wave away the match. The official cut-off time was at 2:45 in the ninth round.
In the clip, Williams reacted incredulously to the referee’s decision and commentator Mauro Ranallo slammed the call, saying, “The referee steals the headline.”
Williams later tweeted his frustration with the stoppage and with the scorecards (at the time in favor of Adames 80-72, 78-74, and 77-74).
Last night I fought 5 people Carlos Adams 3 blind judges and 1 freaky ref all I ask for is a fair shake and I didn’t get that last night
– Jrockboxing June 25, 2023
“Last night I fought five people,” Williams wrote. “Carlos Addames, three blind judges, and one terrible reference. All I asked for was a fair shake and I didn’t get it last night. I’m so disappointed.”
Echoing those sentiments on Twitter, head coach William Stephen “Breadman” Edwards took particular displeasure with the 80-72 scorecard and timing of the stoppage.
rough. Proud of my baby @tweet . We did our best. Adames is a good fighter, very good. But no one feared him or “the most feared man in boxing history…” Fans were robbed of a great fight over the distance. And 80-72..Boxing should do better….
– Stephen Edwards (BreadmanBoxing) June 25, 2023
Edwards also complained about the result after the fight.
“[The referee] Edwards said, according to Edwards boxing scene. “I told him it was a typical A-side strike. It was a good fight. He got hurt and I’m not saying he didn’t get hurt, but a fight like this, man not down, they go back and forth. If he’s the killer they say they’ll let him finish him off. He was tired.” Also…but it’s always predictable, it’s always side A that gets the same f***.
“[Williams] There may be no more fights. At least let the fight go. [Williams] He was once in combat. [Adames] Supposed to be the most intimidating man in boxing, he never got knocked down. Let him finish him off if he’s going to finish him off.”
Adames also spoke about the stoppage, praising Williams for staying put through some difficult moments in the fight, but ultimately agreeing that the referee did the right thing to protect his opponent.
“When I came up with those two rights, the referee stopped him,” Adams said. boxing scene. “If I were to hit him with another one, he would probably really get hurt.”
Take another look at the pause in the official highlights below, courtesy of Showtime.