Austin Williams gets first title shot as Carlos Adames defends WBC middleweight belt in Orlando
Carlos Adames defends his WBC middleweight title against Austin Williams on March 21 in Orlando. The winner moves directly toward a fight with interim champion Jesus Ramos Jr.
Adames was set to face Williams at Madison Square Garden on the Shakur Stevenson vs Teofimo Lopez undercard but withdrew before the weigh-in. Williams stayed active and won a ten-round decision over Wendy Toussaint to protect his ranking position.
Adames, 24-1-1 with 18 knockouts, makes the third defense of the belt. Elevated to full champion in May 2024, he outboxed Terrell Gausha in Las Vegas, then fought Hamzah Sheeraz to a split draw in Riyadh last February. He starts with the jab, maintains tight range control, then sets his feet and drives the straight right when opponents reach.
Williams, 20-1 with 13 knockouts, enters ranked No. 3 by the WBC. The 29-year-old has won four straight over the past 14 months. He starts with the jab, keeps a steady workrate, and lets combinations go once he closes distance. This marks his first world title opportunity after the earlier cancellation.
“Life doesn’t repeat opportunities. If you escaped once, consider it a miracle,” Adames said. “Destiny forgives once. After that, it collects. Not everyone gets two warnings. He already used one. Danger is coming to Orlando on March 21.”
“The second Ammo Show will be electric,” Williams said. “This is the moment I become WBC Champion of the World and begin my reign. Ten years of dedication all boiling down to one night, don’t miss it!”
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the quick turnaround.
“I am delighted to be able to deliver Ammo this fight so quickly,” Hearn said. “Ammo was obviously devastated in New York, but he held it together and got ten more rounds in, and now he gets the chance to become World champion as a headliner.”
Orlando’s Omari Jones, 5-0 with 4 knockouts, returns in his first scheduled eight-rounder. Australian heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana, 9-0 with 9 knockouts, also appears on the card.
At middleweight, clean wins and steady activity separate contenders from champions.
Adames vs. Williams fight card
Carlos Adames vs. Austin Williams; For Adames’ WBC middleweight title
Omari Jones vs. Christian Gomez; Super welterweight
Jaycob Gomez vs. Corey Marksman; Lightweight
Teremoana Teremoana vs. Curtis Harper; Heavyweight
How to watch Adames vs. Williams
Adames vs. Williams and the whole fight card is live on DAZN worldwide via a DAZN subscription.