**WBC World Middleweight champion Carlos Adames announced on June 3, 2026, that two current super middleweight titleholders have allegedly declined to fight him as he prepares to move up to the 168-pound division.**
The 32-year-old Dominican-French fighter, who has held his current world title since 2024, signaled his frustration on X (formerly Twitter). He described the rejections as “embarrassing” while confirming his intention to pursue the toughest opposition at super middleweight.
“Let me say it again: I’m moving up to 168. Two fighters have already turned down the fight,” Adames posted. He followed up by clarifying that the individuals in question are current champions, though he did not name the specific fighters who reportedly walked away from negotiations.
Adames is coming off a dominant performance on March 21, 2026, where he defeated Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams by unanimous decision. During that bout, he landed 254 punches and connected on 45.1% of his power shots, proving he remains one of the most effective offensive forces in the sport.
Challenging the super middleweight landscape
The 168-pound class is currently home to several high-profile champions, including World Boxing Council (WBC) titleholder Christian Mbilli. Other major belts are held by Osleys Iglesias (IBF), Jaime Munguia (WBA), and Hamzah Sheeraz (WBO).
Adames has already faced Sheeraz, battling to a split draw in Riyadh during February 2025. He recently suggested that if Sheeraz wants “vengeance” for that result, he should be the one to initiate the offer. This desire for top-tier opposition mirrors the frustrations seen elsewhere in the sport, such as the ongoing Fury-Joshua contract dispute that has stalled heavyweight progress.
“Everyone wants to take the easy path, and that’s exactly why these fights never happen,” Adames said. He noted that his entire career has been built on sacrifice rather than picking and choosing opponents. But while Adames is vocal about his departure, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman recently suggested the champion might stay at 160 pounds.
Sulaiman stated that Adames’ promoter had confirmed a commitment to the middleweight class just a few weeks ago. However, Adames countered this by stating he is ready to “make 168 shake” and catch up to those who previously avoided him at middleweight.
Assessing the middleweight and super middleweight divisions
The motivation behind Adames’ move may lie in the shifting competitive levels between the two weight classes. The middleweight division is currently reported to be “thin at the top.” This perception stems largely from Janibek Alimkhanuly’s PED scandal and the fact that other prospects like Yoenli Hernandez are still early in their professional journeys.
By contrast, the super middleweight division is considered loaded with talent. Adames believes his physical style, which has produced 18 knockouts across 25 wins, will translate effectively to the heavier weight. Unlike other fighters who might seek a tune-up, Adames posted on May 30 that he is “going straight after the toughest fighter in the division.”
Securing these fights often requires navigating complex organizational hurdles. For example, some fighters must wait through elimination matches, much like the Vincenzo Gualtieri and Amari Jones IBF bout, to earn their mandatory status. Adames is clearly attempting to use his existing championship leverage to bypass that process.
History and future match-ups for Adames
Since being elevated from interim to full WBC middleweight champion on May 7, 2024, Adames has defended his title against Terrell Gausha and Austin Williams. His career win over Julian Williams in 2023 remains a highlight, but the draw against Sheeraz in Saudi Arabia is the result he seems most eager to rectify or build upon.
“I’m ready for anybody at 168. Name the opponent,” Adames wrote. While names like Janibek Alimkhanuly, Jesus Ramos, and Osleys Iglesias have been discussed as potential future foes, no official deal has been signed for his 168-pound debut as of June 4, 2026.
Boxing fans are also closely watching how elite talent like Christian Mbilli presents a challenge for the top names in the division. Adames’ entry into this mix adds another high-risk, high-reward variable to a weight class that is already under heavy scrutiny.
Whether Adames can successfully force the hand of the champions he claims are avoiding him remains to be seen. For now, the champion known as “Bronco” has made it clear that his time at 160 pounds is over, and he is hunting for titles in a second division.
