Junior middleweight contenders Brandon Adams and Caoimhin Agyarko inked the deal just in time on Monday, avoiding a purse bid and locking in an April 18 IBF final eliminator that is now targeted for the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
It is the kind of agreement that keeps the fight in the ring rather than in an office, and it gives the division a real sorting fight instead of a paper one.
For Adams, the setting fits. The California native and former Contender winner will be fighting close to home as he pushes toward his first title shot since losing to Jermall Charlo in 2019. His career nearly stalled after that defeat, including a three year absence that could have quietly ended his relevance.
Instead, Adams rebuilt. Two decisive wins over Serhii Bohachuk changed how he was viewed, followed by a clear decision over then unbeaten Francisco Daniel Veron and a narrow split loss to Andreas Katsourakis that did little to damage his standing. Losses to Willie Monroe Jr and Apollo Thompson once looked like ceiling setters. At 154, Adams has worked past them.
Agyarko arrives unbeaten but far less settled. His split decision win over Troy Williamson has aged well, but 2025 was a warning year. A majority decision over Ryan Kelly was followed by a September fight with Ishmael Davis that required a trip to the canvas just to escape with his record intact. This will be his first fight outside Europe and his first true world level test.
The bigger issue is waiting on the other side. The winner becomes mandatory for Bakhram Murtazaliev, a champion who punishes mistakes and does not give rounds away. Both Adams and Agyarko have shown defensive gaps over the years. Against a puncher like Murtazaliev, there is no margin for that. This eliminator brings deserved attention and opportunity. It may also be the moment where ambition runs headfirst into reality.
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Last Updated on 01/06/2026
