Brandon Adams vs. Caoimhin Agyarko - 11 April 2026 (OFF)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Brandon Adams, Caoimhin Agyarko in talks for IBF eliminator

Brandon Adams is blessed, for a change, with several options.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that representatives for the hard-luck junior middleweight contender is now in talks with Caoimhin Agyarko for an IBF eliminator. The development comes as Adams debuted in the WBO top 15 at No. 3, granting a request made by Wise Owl Management on behalf of Adams.

Adams-Agyarko was ordered by the IBF, and both sides immediately opened negotiations, at least as it was communicated to the sanctioning body. Should the fight move forward, the winner will become the mandatory challenger to the 154lbs title.

Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev, 23-0 (17 KOs), is the current belt holder and will next defend against England’s Josh Kelly, 17-1-1 (9 KOs), on January 31 in Newcastle, England.

Adams, 25-4 (16 KOs), picked the perfect time for a career revival.

The 36-year-old Los Angeles native Adams scored a repeat win over Serhii Bohachuk when he earned a unanimous decision in their September 13 rematch in Las Vegas. The feat knocked Bohachuk out of contention and placed Adams firmly in the title picture.

Adams previously handed Bohachuk his first defeat in a March 2021 upset knockout win in Puerto Rico. Just four fights have followed in more than four years, including a questionable split decision defeat to unbeaten Andreas Katzourakis last November in Atlanta.

Agyarko, 18-0 (7 KOs), can relate to the school-of-hard-knocks route that Adams was forced to travel.

The 28-year-old contender from Belfast, Northern Ireland, has steadily risen through the ranks, but his cries for showdowns with the division’s best have largely fallen on deaf ears.

That said, Agyarko enjoyed his most active in-ring campaign since the pandemic. His three wins in 2025 included a split decision over Ishmael Davis. Agyarko was forced to overcome a 12th-round knockdown to edge out the Brit on September 13 in Belfast.

[2236729]

I thought Adams was a TKO/Zuffa guy now, why is he still fighting for the sanctioning bodies' belts

[Ruthless-RKO]

IBF Orders Brandon Adams-Caoimhin Agyarko Purse Bids

Brandon Adams and Caoimhin Agyarko will have to go through each other to get what they want.

The IBF has informed The Ring that purse bids between the two will officially take place December 30. The winner of their contest will be made the mandatory contender for the IBF 154-pound title.

Bakhram Murtazaliev, the champion, will defend his crown on January 31 against Josh Kelly.

Adams, the IBF’s No. 5 contender, is fresh off a lopsided win over former WBC interim champion, Serhii Bohachuk. Since beating him for a second time, Adams (26-4, 16 KOs) has called out several of the division's champions, to no avail.

Irishman Agyarko has had a solid 2025. The IBF’s No. 7 contender picked up wins over Harley Collison, Ryan Kelly, and Ishmael Davis.

[TheLeprechaun]

Agyarko didn't deserve the Davis decision.

[SeanBrennan]

Agyarko didn't deserve the Davis decision.

Agreed, I don’t think he won that.

[Taansend]

Adams has Bohachuks number just like Fulton has Figueroa's.

And it goes to show how taking a risk is important. Adams lost to Katzourakis, takes the plunge & now gets an eliminator.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Brandon Adams-Caoimhin Agyarko IBF eliminator heads to Jan. 6 purse bid

The good news is that Brandon Adams and Caoimhin Agyarko technically have another week to reach terms for their ordered title eliminator.

The more likely outcome, however, is merely a longer wait until a purse bid hearing determines promotional rights for the matchup.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that the IBF has granted a seven-day postponement for their previously scheduled purse bid, which was due to take place on Tuesday. The matter was rescheduled for January 6, to be conducted via video conference.

The highest bidding promoter will gain access to the IBF 154lbs title eliminator to determine the next mandatory challenger to current titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev, 23-0 (17 KOs).

Adams-Agyarko was ordered in November, shortly after Adames, 25-4 (16 KOs), through Wise Owl Management – burst into the IBF top 15 rankings. The move came upon request of his management team but was earned in a repeat win over Serhii Bohachuk, whom he outpointed on the undercard of the September 13 Terence Crawford-Saul Alvarez Netflix event in Las Vegas.

The feat knocked Bohachuk out of contention and placed Adams firmly in the title picture.

Adams previously handed Bohachuk his first defeat in a March 2021 upset knockout win in Puerto Rico. Just four fights have followed in more than four years, including a questionable split decision defeat to unbeaten Andreas Katzourakis last November in Atlanta, Georgia.

Agyarko, 18-0 (7 KOs), can relate to the school of hard knocks route that Adams was forced to travel.

The 28-year-old contender from Belfast has steadily risen through the ranks but his calls for showdowns with the division’s best have largely fallen on deaf ears.

That said, Agyarko enjoyed his most active in-ring campaign since the pandemic. His three wins in 2025 included a split decision over Ishmael Davis, also on September 13 but in his Belfast hometown. Agyarko was forced to overcome a 12th round knockdown to prevail and remain atop the divisional rankings.

Per IBF rules covering purse bids, both boxers are required to commit to the process and cannot enter another interim fight. Failure to honor the sanctioning body’s rules will result in a demotion outside the top 10 and ineligibility to participate in IBF-branded fights for at least six months.

Ironically, the fight – even if it moves forward – won’t take place until after Murtazaliev’s scheduled January 31 title defense versus England’s Josh Kelly.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Deal has been agreed

[2309920]

Brandon Adams, Caoimhin Agyarko in talks for IBF eliminator PolyTrack

Brandon Adams is blessed, for a change, with several options.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that representatives for the hard-luck junior middleweight contender is now in talks with Caoimhin Agyarko for an IBF eliminator. The development comes as Adams debuted in the WBO top 15 at No. 3, granting a request made by Wise Owl Management on behalf of Adams.

Adams-Agyarko was ordered by the IBF, and both sides immediately opened negotiations, at least as it was communicated to the sanctioning body. Should the fight move forward, the winner will become the mandatory challenger to the 154lbs title.

Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev, 23-0 (17 KOs), is the current belt holder and will next defend against England’s Josh Kelly, 17-1-1 (9 KOs), on January 31 in Newcastle, England.

Adams, 25-4 (16 KOs), picked the perfect time for a career revival.

The 36-year-old Los Angeles native Adams scored a repeat win over Serhii Bohachuk when he earned a unanimous decision in their September 13 rematch in Las Vegas. The feat knocked Bohachuk out of contention and placed Adams firmly in the title picture.

Adams previously handed Bohachuk his first defeat in a March 2021 upset knockout win in Puerto Rico. Just four fights have followed in more than four years, including a questionable split decision defeat to unbeaten Andreas Katzourakis last November in Atlanta.

Agyarko, 18-0 (7 KOs), can relate to the school-of-hard-knocks route that Adams was forced to travel.

The 28-year-old contender from Belfast, Northern Ireland, has steadily risen through the ranks, but his cries for showdowns with the division’s best have largely fallen on deaf ears.

That said, Agyarko enjoyed his most active in-ring campaign since the pandemic. His three wins in 2025 included a split decision over Ishmael Davis. Agyarko was forced to overcome a 12th-round knockdown to edge out the Brit on September 13 in Belfast.

Interesting matchup if it gets finalized. Adams’ experience and recent win over Bohachuk make him a real threat, but Agyarko is younger, unbeaten, and clearly hungry for a breakout fight. Stylistically it feels like experience vs momentum, and either guy earning mandatory status would be well deserved. This could be a very competitive IBF eliminator.

[Ruthless-RKO]

BRANDON ADAMS-CAOIMHIN AGYARKO IBF ELIMINATOR WILL TAKE PLACE APRIL 18

Brandon Adams and Caoimhin Agyarko will square off in an IBF junior middleweight title eliminator April 18 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

Adams and Agyarko will headline a DMG Boxing show, sources told The Ring on Tuesday. A purse bid was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, but a deal was struck just before it took place.

The winner between Adams (26-4, 16 KOs) and Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs) will become the mandatory challenger to face champion Bakhram Murtazaliev. Russia’s Murtazaliev is set to defend his IBF belt against England’s Josh Kelly on January 31 in Newcastle, England.

Adams is ranked fifth by the IBF and Agyarko is seventh, but they are the two highest-rated available contenders after the third-ranked Kelly gets his shot. The top two spots in the IBF’s 154-pound rankings are vacant.

Adams, a 36-year-old from Los Angeles, is coming off a points win in a rematch against Serhii Bohachuk in September. Adams came into the clash as a heavy underdog despite knocking out Bohachuk in 2021 and dominated the 10-round sequel by unanimous decision.

Agyarko, a 29-year-old from Northern Ireland, will fight outside of the United Kingdom for the first time in his eight-year career. Agyarko was 3-0 last year, highlighted by a 12-round, split-decision win against Ishmael Davis in September and a 10-round, majority-decision win against Ryan Kelly in April.

[MPW]

Glad to read this has been finalized and a fight date set. This should be an interesting - if not cliché - bout, the battle tested fighter taking on the up and coming boxer with a title shot on the line.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Confirmed

[Ruthless-RKO]

Brandon Adams to face Caoimhin Agyarko in 154lbs eliminator

Adams, 26-4 (16 KOs), won a 10-round unanimous decision over Serhii Bohachuk in September in a rematch of their 2021 clash, in which Bohachuk was stopped. Adams, a 36-year-old from Watts, California, will now seek to put himself in position to fight for a world title for the second time in his career. His only other title shot came against Jermall Charlo for the WBC middleweight title in 2019..

Agyarko, 18-0 (7 KOs), won a split decision over Ishmael Davis in September. A 29-year-old from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Agyarko will be fighting in the United States for the first time in his career.

The winner will be the mandatory challenger for the current IBF junior middleweight titleholder, Josh Kelly, 18-1-1 (9 KOs). Kelly, a 31-year-old from Sunderland, England, upset Bakhram Murtazaliev on January 31, winning a majority decision. Murtazaliev’s team has petitioned for an immediate rematch, given the scoring of a 10-10 round in the 12th frame of that fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Next month

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Fight week!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Brandon Adams is a changed man ahead of Caoimhin Agyarko elimination bout

Brandon Adams’ tough pro career, including a recent controversial loss, spawned a new mentality that has led him to an IBF junior middleweight title eliminator.

Adams will face Caoimhin Agyarko on Saturday at The Chelsea in the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. The winner is mandatory for Josh Kelly’s title.

Adams lost a split decision to Andreas Katzourakis in November 2024. The defeat was exhausting. It was another bad break in a career fueled by long layoffs and hard-luck losses.

Adams lost his unbeaten record in 2014 to eventual title contender Willie Monroe Jnr. A year later, he would get knocked out by Apollo Thompson (then known as John Thompson) in the Boxcino junior middleweight tournament finals.

After a three-year layoff, Adams would move up to middleweight and win the reboot of “The Contender,” defeating Tyrone Brunson, Ievgen Khytrov, Eric Walker, and Shane Mosley Jnr in the finals. This would set the stage for him to face WBC middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo. He would lose that June 2019 fight by unanimous decision.

Adams would win two fights afterward, including a knockout victory over Serhii Bohachuk in 2021. Yet inactivity plagued him again. He wouldn’t fight for another three years, until he entered the OTX junior middleweight tournament. Adams lost to Katzourakis in the finals, which served as a turning point, as he felt he didn’t deserve to lose.

“It changed me,” Adams told Boxing Scene. “I can’t rely on referees. I always knew you couldn’t rely on judges. To experience a loss that was truly a win, that channeled and transformed me into something totally different.”

After the loss, Adams waited for an opportunity. It came 10 months later in a rematch with Bohachuk. Adams won a dominant unanimous decision, displaying a fierce side that he hadn’t shown in prior bouts.

“I have so much of a ‘fornicate that’ attitude than ever,” Adams said. “I have always had that attitude, but it was a lot friendlier, and from a competitive side.”

Agyarko, 18-0 (7 KOs), is coming off a split decision win over Ishmael Davis in September. Agyarko, a 29-year-old from Belfast, Northern Ireland, will fight in the United States for the first time. For Adams, Agyarko is another top-rated fighter he must face to reach the title.

“I think he is a good fighter,” Adams said. “But being a good fighter won’t be enough to beat me.”

Adams now gets the chance to move away from a career of hard fights and setbacks.

“This moment means I am that much closer to becoming a world champion,” Adams said. “It separates me from an older version of myself.”

Adams will be the headline attraction for his new promoter, DMG Promotions, topping the biggest show the company has put on so far.

“I am here, and I am going to take advantage of every opportunity I can get,” Adams said. “It is time for me to become a champion.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

FFS!!

Adams is out.

He collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital

[Ruthless-RKO]

Brandon Adams, The Ring’s No. 8 junior middleweight, is forced to withdraw from Saturday’s fight with Caoimhin Agyarko in Las Vegas after he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

Statement from his manager, Mark Habibi of Wise Owl Boxing:

“Brandon was experiencing chest pain early this morning and collapsed in his hotel room and was rushed to the hospital. He’s currently been admitted and is undergoing evaluation.
More details to follow. He’s absolutely crushed for not being able to participate in this fight.

“He gave everything he had in this camp and was looking forward to being at the doorstep of a world title opportunity. His heart goes out to his opponent Agyarko who travelled overseas to compete and is looking forward to making this fight happen immediately following his recovery.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Absolutely gutted for Agyarko..

Fighters worst nightmare.

[Ruthless-RKO]

ADAMS GOES TO HOSPITAL, SCHEDULED FIGHT WITH AGYARKO OFF

Brandon Adams, The Ring’s No. 8 junior middleweight, is forced to withdraw from Saturday’s fight with Caoimhin Agyarko in Las Vegas after he collapsed ahead of Friday’s weigh-in and was rushed to the hospital.

His manager, Mark Habibi of Wise Owl Boxing, tells The Ring that Adams “was experiencing chest pain early this morning and collapsed in his hotel room and was rushed to the hospital. He’s currently been admitted and is undergoing evaluation. More details to follow.

“He’s absolutely crushed for not being able to participate in this fight. He gave everything he had in this camp and was looking forward to being at the doorstep of a world title opportunity.

“His heart goes out to his opponent Agyarko who traveled overseas to compete and is looking forward to making this fight happen immediately following his recovery.”

The event, a DMG Boxing “Night of Champions” show on PPV.com at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, will still move forward, Habibi told The Ring.

"Absolutely heartbroken to announce my fight tomorrow night is off," Agyarko said on social media. "Firstly, I hope Brandon Adams is okay and makes a speedy recovery. Secondly, my dreams have been shattered. I put my heart and soul into this camp and fight. I trained extremely hard. I was in the best shape of my life; 14 hard weeks being away from my family, girlfriend and friends, thousands of dollars spent. And now I don’t get to have my American dream fight. I don’t get paid and I don’t know what happens next. But what I do know is that I will be world champion one day.

“My mind is bulletproof. I’ve had setbacks many times and I will not let this stop me from chasing my dreams ... I’m hurting right now, but I’ll be back in the ring soon and I will be world champion."

Adams, 36, is coming off a wide points victory over Serhii Bohachuk in a September rematch on the Canelo-Crawford undercard. Adams (26-4, 16 KOs) had stopped Bohachuk in the eighth round in 2021.
The fight with Ireland’s Agyarko was set to be an IBF title eliminator at 154 pounds. Josh Kelly holds that belt. Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs) is coming off a decision win over Ishmael Davis in September.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Brandon Adams suffers chest pains, collapses, 154 eliminator canceled

Junior middleweight contender Brandon Adams collapsed on Friday, was taken to the hospital, and his IBF title elimination fight against unbeaten Caoimhin Agyarko was canceled, DMG Boxing announced.

They were scheduled to meet with a mandatory shot at 154-pound titleholder Josh Kelly at stake in the main event of a DMG Boxing pay-per-view card on Saturday night at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Wise Owl Boxing’s Mark Habibi, who manages Adams, told Fight Freaks Unite that Adams’ issue was not related to his weight cut.

“Brandon was experiencing chest pain early (Friday) morning and collapsed in his hotel room and was rushed to the hospital,” Habibi said. “He’s currently been admitted and is undergoing evaluation. More details to follow. He’s absolutely crushed for not being able to participate in this fight.

“He gave everything he had in this camp and was looking forward to being at the doorstep of a world title opportunity. His heart goes out to his opponent Agyarko, who traveled overseas to compete and is looking forward to making this fight happen immediately following his recovery.”

Agyarko gave his thoughts in a social media post.

“Absolutely heart broken to announce my fight (Saturday) night is off,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, my opponent fainted (Friday) morning and was rushed to hospital then was declared medically unfit to fight. Firstly I hope Brandon Adams is okay and makes a speedy recovery. Secondly my dreams have been shattered. I put my heart and soul into this camp/fight. I trained extremely hard. I was in the best shape of my life, 14 hard weeks being away from my family, girlfriend and friends, thousands of pounds spent. Now I don’t get to have my American dream fight. I don’t get paid and I don’t know what happens next, but what I do know is that I will be world champion one day. My mind is bullet proof. I’ve had setbacks many of times and I will not let this stop me from chasing my dreams.

“To my supporters that have traveled to Vegas to watch me perform I can only apologize. To my sponsors I can only apologize. I appreciate the support. I’m hurting right now but I’ll be back in the ring soon and I will be world champion.”

DMG Boxing said the card will go forward with female bantamweights Chantel Navarro and Perla Lomeli being elevated to the main event position. The event is available via TrillerTV PPV, PPV.COM and FUBO beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Adams was evaluated on-site by medical personnel and transported by EMT to a local hospital,” DMG Boxing said in a statement. “He is currently in stable condition. The health and safety of our fighters remains our top priority, and our immediate focus is ensuring that Brandon Adams receives the care he needs.

“(The) event at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will proceed as scheduled, with all undercard bouts moving forward. The matchup between Chantel Navarro and Perla Lomeli will now serve as the evening’s main event. We appreciate the understanding and support of the fans, fighters, and media.”

Adams (26-4, 16 KOs), 36, of Watts, California, has had one previous title opportunity but lost a near-shutout decision to Jermall Charlo challenging for his WBC middleweight title in Charlo’s hometown of Houston in 2019.

In his last fight, Adams scored a one-sided 10-round decision over longtime contender Serhii Bohachuk on the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford undercard in September to go 2-0 against him in a pair of upsets.

Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs), 29, of Belfast, Northern Ireland, went 3-0 in 2025, most recently a 12-round split decision over Ishmael Davis in Sept. 13 on the Lewis Crocker-Paddy Donovan II card in Belfast.

The fight was slated to be the first for Agyarko outside of the United Kingdom other than a 2023 bout in Ireland.