Adames-Williams headline card in Minneapolis June 24th

WBC interim middleweight champion Carlos Adames and Julian Williams will face each other at The Armory in Minneapolis June 24th, which headlines a fight card that will be televised live on Showtime.

This card will also include a bout in the super welterweight division between Erickson Lubin and Luis Arias, plus Fernando Martinez defends the IBF super flyweight title against Jade Bornea. TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing are responsible for promoting the event, with Mayweather Promotions taking part in promoting Lubin vs. Arias.

Carlos Adames (22-1, 17 KOs) will defend the WBC interim title months after defeating Juan Macias Montiel by knockout in Carson California. In 2021, he scored the biggest win of his career with a decision win over world title contender Sergey Derevyanchenko. The 29-year-old who is originally from the Dominican Republic now resides in Washington Heights, New York wants to show that he is one of the top fighters at 160.

“I’ve trained hard for this fight and I’m ready to defend my interim WBC middleweight title against Julian Williams, who we all know is a very tough fighter,” said Adames. “I’ve worked tirelessly to earn my way in the sport and I’m ready to prove I belong at the top of the middleweight division. I’m determined to put on a great performance for the fans. On June 24th The Armory in Minneapolis will be electrifying. I’m coming to win.”

Williams (29-3-1, 16 KOs) is a former unified champion at super welterweight who is getting a shot to be a serious contender in the middleweight division. He lost a tough decision to Vladimir Hernandez in 2021 but rebounded with a victory last November over Rolando Mansilla in the same venue that he will be facing Adames. The Philadelphia native hopes to continue his winning ways on June 24th.

“Training has been going great and I’m extremely well-prepared for this fight,” said Williams. “I’ve just been grinding and making the best of everything that I have. I haven’t seen that much of him, so I’m preparing for anything Adames can bring. A win on June 24th would mean everything. This is what I strive for. It’s been a little choppy, but I’m just looking forward to a tough fight in Minneapolis.”

The co-feature bout has a world title contender in Erickson Lubin facing Luis Arias in a super welterweight contest. Lubin was named the 2016 “Prospect Of The Year” by ESPN and Ring Magazine, and built up an unbeaten record to become a world title contender. He lost in his first attempt for a world title in 2017, but then went on a six fight winning streak which included victories over Ishe Smith Terrell Gausha and Jeison Rosario. Last year, he was part of the Fight of the Year against Sebastian Fundora but was stopped in the ninth round. Now Lubin wants to get back in the winning column against Arias.

“I’m looking forward to making my return on SHOWTIME,” Lubin said. “Every fight is important and I treat them all the same. This one is no different because I’m coming in with a chip on my shoulder. I’m planning to dominate Luis Arias so I can get my rematches with Jermell Charlo and Sebastian Fundora. I want to avenge my defeats and that starts with a big performance on June 24th.”

Arias was a contender in the middleweight division for most of his career, building an unbeaten record until 2017 when he lost to Daniel Jacobs. In the next five fights, Arias has a record of 2-2-1, with his latest bout being a win over Jimmy Williams last May. His highlight victory came in 2021 over former super welterweight champion Jarrett Hurd.

“I’m back on the big stage and this time I’m staying here for the long haul,” said Arias. “I’m planning on bringing an all-out war as soon as the bell rings. June 24th has a great lineup, but this fight will definitely steal the show.”

Fernando Martinez (15-0, 8 KOs) became the IBF super flyweight champion by beating Jerwin Ancajas last February, then followed that up with another victory over Ancajas eight months later. The Argentinian hopes to make a statement in the division, but first he wants to impress the crowd in Minneapolis by defeating Bornea.

“This is going to be my first time fighting in Minneapolis and I hope the fans know that I’m coming to put on a show for them,” said Martinez. “My goal isn’t just to win, it’s to show that I’m getting better and that I’m on my way to my goal of unifying the titles.”

Jade Bornea (18-0, 12 KOs) hails from the Philippines and is the top contender in the IBF rankings in the super flyweight division. He has defeated three unbeaten opponents up to this point and his knockout victory over Mohammed Obbadi last January put him in the position to fight for a world title. This will be his second fight in the United States and he wants to be the next fighter from his country to be a world champion.

“I have been waiting for this opportunity ever since I turned pro,” said Bornea. “I have watched Martinez twice fight against my friend and countryman Jerwin Ancajas, so I know his style well. On June 24th, I am going to win that title and bring it back to the Philippines where it belongs. I’m thankful to my whole team for this opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it.”