Carlos Adames and Austin Williams: Five fights to resurrect the middleweight division

All eyes on Madison Square Garden tonight as the Ring 6 card takes place in New York, live on DAZN PPV.

Headlining a fantastic card is the WBO super lightweight showdown between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson, but there is plenty of interest elsewhere on the stacked card.

Carlos Adames was due to defend his WBC middleweight crown against Austin Williams in what promised to be an enthralling contest, but the champion was withdrawn on Friday due to sickness.

The middleweight division hasn’t been one of boxing’s best in recent years and DAZN News looks at five contests involving this pair which could reignite things at 160lbs.

Carlos Adames vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly

A cloud may hang over Janibek Alimkhanuly at the moment following his failed drugs test in December, but he is regarded as the number one in the division.

Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) is the holder of the IBF and WBO titles and a unification bout with Adames would attract plenty of attention..

Alimkhanuly is known for his power and his heavy hands against the tough-as-teak Adamas in a battle for middleweight supremacy should make for great viewing.

Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Carlos Adames vs. Erislandy Lara

Another unification bout that would make plenty of appeal for Adames is a clash with WBA champion Erislandy Lara.

Lara may be the elder statesmen of the division but the tricky Cuban remains in fine form at 42 and has won all of his last seven outings.

A contest with Adames would represent an intriguing clash of styles and take the division a step closer to having an undisputed champion.

(Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME)

Carlos Adames vs. Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr.

Adames could be in line to face Ramos next after the latter won the WBC interim belt with a victory over Shane Mosley Jr. last summer.

Ramos has all the tools to be a champion and has looked better than ever since stepping up to 160lbs.

The high output of Adames should gel well with the style of the hard-hitting Ramos, so there could be fireworks if these two get it on.

Austin Williams vs. Callum Walsh 

Backed by Zuffa Boxing, Ireland’s Callum Walsh is making waves in America and made a successful step up to middleweight with a wide decision win over Carlos Ocampo last weekend.

Walsh is now 16-0 (11 KOs) and if he keeps on winning, then someone of Williams’ calibre will soon be on his radar.

The Cork southpaw is ready to be tested by the division’s top fighters and a bout with Williams should be an exciting one for the fans.

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Austin Williams vs. Aaron McKenna

Another Irishman rising up the rankings at 160lbs is Aaron McKenna, who is 20-0 (10 KOs) and looks set for a crack at the division’s big guns.

McKenna only fought once in 2025 but it saw him break into the mainstream with a one-sided points victory over former light middleweight champion Liam Smith.

That impressive performance against someone of Smith’s calibre put the division on notice and a fight with Williams would tell us whether he is ready for the very best at middleweight or not.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Watch López  vs. Stevenson only on DAZN PPV

Teofimo López and Shakur Stevenson headline the Ring VI fight night in New York, exclusively on DAZN PPV, this Saturday, January 31.

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