Carlos Adames will return to the ring this Saturday in Riyadh to face Wales’ Gerome Warburton in a non-title fight at a 165lb catchweight, as London’s Denzel Bentley eyes a 2027 showdown for the WBC middleweight world title.
Adames, the reigning WBC middleweight champion, is using this bout as a tune-up ahead of major title fights next year. The fight will air live on Sky Sports Mix from 4pm. Although the title is not at stake, the match offers Warburton a chance to break into the upper echelons of the division if he can pull off an upset.
Adames enters the fight undefeated at middleweight, with wins over Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Julian Williams, Terrell Gausha, and Austin Williams. His record also includes a draw against Hamzah Sheeraz. Warburton, a former Welsh champion, has yet to operate at the same level but is coming off consecutive wins over Nathan Heaney, a former British champion who defeated Bentley before Bentley captured a world title.
Bentley, who recently claimed a victory over Shane Mosley Jr after being stripped of his WBO title, is closely watching Saturday’s contest. He has publicly stated his intention to challenge for a world title again, targeting fights with Adames or IBF titlist Aaron McKenna in 2027.
“Early next year, I’m ready to go again,” Bentley told Sky Sports. “I’d love another world title shot. McKenna or Adames, seeing as those are the two middleweights who are at this [Zuffa Boxing] stable with us and they are world champions. Those two are my priority.”
Bentley expects Adames to win and maintain his position for a title defence next year. “Congrats to Warburton for getting such a massive fight. I know it’s not for the title but he’s fighting a champion,” Bentley said. “I expect Adames to come through that. Warburton’s a good boxer, a nice slick boxer but doesn’t carry the power to give Adames any respect or stop him in his tracks.”
Bentley predicts Adames will pressure Warburton relentlessly and possibly end the fight early. “Adames is going to walk him down and probably get him out of there. I’d rather see Warburton go the distance. He’s done well in his career,” Bentley added. He also said: “Adames gets him out of there, pretty early if I’m being honest.”
Looking ahead, Bentley said he is prepared to wait until after the summer of 2027 for a fight with Adames, provided it is guaranteed. “If he’s well enough to go into his mandatory early next year, we can fight maybe summer, a little bit after the summer,” Bentley explained. “I’ll be happy to wait till after the summer, if it’s guaranteed [to be] Adames. If it’s not, then I’d like to get out early next year. But if it could be him I’d be happy to wait for that.”
Saturday’s fight in Riyadh will be an important step for both Adames and Warburton. Adames looks to sharpen his form before defending his crown, while Warburton sees a path to bigger opportunities. Bentley, meanwhile, remains focused on returning to world champion status and has made clear his plans to challenge the division’s top fighters next year.
According to Sky Sports.
