Golden Boy Signs Veteran Contender
Brandon "The Cannon" Adams!
(October 28th) Golden Boy Promotions officially announced Wednesday the signing of hard-hitting junior middleweight contender Brandon “The Cannon” Adams (26-4, 16 KOs), adding a battle-tested veteran with championship experience, unfinished business, and renewed ambitions to its promotional roster.
At 37, the Watts, California, product isn't looking to rebuild his career. He's looking to finish what he started. Ranked No. 3 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 2 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) at 154 pounds, Adams enters the Golden Boy stable firmly positioned in the world championship conversation. With the IBF's top two contender positions vacant, another shot at boxing's ultimate prize could be within reach.
“Brandon Adams is a battle-tested veteran who has proven he can compete with and beat some of the best fighters in the division,” De La Hoya stated in Golden Boy's official announcement. “He’s dangerous, experienced and always comes ready to fight, and we’re excited to give ‘The Cannon’ the platform to make another statement.”
Born in Lynwood and representing the tough streets of Watts, Adams has built his professional career on perseverance, punching power, and an unwillingness to back down from difficult challenges. His journey includes winning the 2018 reboot of The Contender, where he dominated Shane Mosley Jr. over 10 rounds to capture the tournament championship, and challenging undefeated Jermall Charlo for the WBC middleweight championship in June 2019. Although Charlo retained his title by unanimous decision, Adams gained invaluable experience competing on boxing's biggest stage.
Perhaps no opponent has better demonstrated Adams' dangerous combination of power and determination than Ukrainian contender Serhii Bohachuk. In March 2021, Adams overcame a deficit on the scorecards to score a dramatic eighth-round stoppage, handing the previously unbeaten knockout artist his first professional defeat. The victory earned Adams the WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title and reinforced his reputation as a fighter capable of turning a contest around with one explosive sequence.
Four years later, Adams proved the first victory was no fluke.
On September 13, 2025, fighting on the blockbuster Canelo Alvarez–Terence Crawford undercard at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Adams delivered a commanding performance in his rematch with Serhii Bohachuk. This time, there was no need for late-round heroics. Using disciplined pressure, sharp counterpunching, effective body work, and intelligent ring generalship, Adams controlled the 10-round contest to earn a convincing unanimous decision by scores of 99-91, 98-92, and 98-92.
The victory improved Adams' record to 26-4 with 16 knockouts and gave him a remarkable 2-0 advantage over Bohachuk, a former WBC interim junior middleweight champion who had also engaged in a thrilling battle with Golden Boy star Vergil Ortiz Jr. For Adams, defeating such a dangerous opponent twice provided compelling evidence that he remained a legitimate threat in one of boxing's deepest divisions.
His résumé also includes a victory over previously unbeaten Argentine contender Francisco Veron, earning Adams the WBA Continental Americas super welterweight championship. Although a narrow split-decision loss to Andreas Katzourakis in November 2024 interrupted his momentum, Adams answered with the impressive Bohachuk rematch victory, demonstrating that his championship aspirations remained very much alive.
However, Adams' road toward another world title opportunity encountered an unexpected and frightening setback earlier this year.
Scheduled to face unbeaten Irish contender Caoimhin Agyarko in an IBF junior middleweight final eliminator on April 11, 2026, at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Adams was forced to withdraw after experiencing chest pain and collapsing in his hotel room before the official weigh-in. He was rushed to a hospital for evaluation, and the highly anticipated contest was canceled. His team subsequently reported that he was in stable condition, although no definitive medical diagnosis was publicly established.
The incident temporarily halted Adams' pursuit of a mandatory championship position, making his signing with Golden Boy an especially significant development as he looks to resume his career.
Standing prominently in the IBF rankings, Adams could eventually find himself on a collision course with reigning IBF junior middleweight champion Josh “Pretty Boy” Kelly. The British titleholder captured the championship on January 31, 2026, by defeating previously unbeaten Bakhram Murtazaliev via majority decision in Newcastle, England. Kelly's victory reshaped the 154-pound championship landscape, and Adams' high ranking places him among the contenders seeking an opportunity to challenge for the belt.
His No. 2 WBC ranking provides another potential route toward championship contention, although no title fight, eliminator, or specific opponent has been announced.
For Golden Boy Promotions, Adams brings a proven veteran with an established record against high-level opposition and the ability to compete with the division's most dangerous fighters. The signing also strengthens the organization's presence in a weight class featuring elite talent, including unbeaten WBC interim champion Vergil Ortiz Jr.
For Adams, the decision to join Golden Boy is about maximizing what he believes could be the final and most important chapter of his professional career.
“I’m extremely excited to begin this next chapter with Golden Boy Promotions,” Adams stated. “At this point in my career, I know exactly what I want to accomplish, and I truly believe Golden Boy has the experience, the relationships and the tools to help me reach my ultimate goal of becoming a world champion.”
Adams also expressed appreciation to De La Hoya and Golden Boy President Eric Gomez for the opportunity, describing the partnership as a chance to close out his career with one of boxing's most respected promotional organizations.
Outside the ring, Adams has remained connected to the sport through Cannonnation Boxing Gym in Santa Fe Springs, California, where he has helped mentor aspiring fighters and share lessons learned throughout his professional journey. His involvement in developing young talent reflects the same commitment and perseverance that have defined his career.
Specific financial terms and the duration of Adams' Golden Boy agreement have not been disclosed. Likewise, an opponent, date, and venue for his promotional debut have yet to be officially announced.
Still, the significance of the partnership is unmistakable. Adams is not arriving as an untested prospect seeking recognition. He is an established contender who has captured regional championships, won The Contender, challenged for a world title, and twice defeated one of the junior middleweight division's most dangerous fighters.
Adams understands that championship opportunities are precious and that the clock waits for no fighter. But with his world rankings, proven ability, and Golden Boy's promotional machinery behind him, the California veteran has given himself another opportunity to pursue the one accomplishment missing from his résumé.
The Cannon is loaded. Golden Boy has the platform. And Brandon Adams has his sights locked on world championship gold.
ABOUT GOLDEN BOY: Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment br
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