Brandon Adams (boxer)


Brandon Quincy Adams is an American professional boxer who challenged for the WBC middleweight title in 2019. He was the winner of [The Contender (season 5)|season 5 of The Contender (TV series)|The Contender series].

Early life

Adams was born on July 31, 1989, between Compton and Watts in Los Angeles, California.  He fought against involvement with gangs and drugs early on in life, surviving through what he calls "faith and a courageous sense of humor." Eager to participate in sports as a youth, but shunned for his family's troubled reputation in the streets of Compton and Watts, Adams found a way around the hardships of the neighborhood by using the discipline of boxing as a way to better his opportunities in life and to defend himself. "I saw my older brothers get shot, lost best friends within 100 feet from where I lie my head," Adams explained. "I had to defend myself from being bullied because fighting was a reality of the streets. Being very small for my age, certainly the smallest of all my friends, I naturally had more to prove."
Quickly gaining a reputation after winning several backyard brawls, Brandon's neighbor "Big Al" took notice and brought him into the professional and legalized world of boxing. Introducing him into the "last old school boxing gym" in South Central Los Angeles, Big Al became Brandon's mentor and first trainer. "My neighbor Big Al saw my enthusiasm to box and make it out of the backyard, so he began taking me to the gym," Adams explained of his mentor. "Al introduced me to everyone in the gym, he had me do strength and conditioning in the same sessions as my training. He was a male figure that stepped in to try to mentor and help me, and I’m forever grateful."

Career

In the same gym, Brandon eventually developed into a world class boxer under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Dub Huntley, a trainer portrayed in the film Million Dollar Baby. "Dub would say I need to turn pro ASAP. I started training at 19, my first amateur fight was at 20, My first professional fight at 21. A feat nearly unheard of in the boxing industry. I was moving really fast because they believed in me," Adams said. "I went pro inside of two years, which is very unusual. Dub had multiple world champions and when he saw me train, he said I was ready to turn pro, he told me I would be a world champion."
After years of victories, Adams earned his nickname "The Cannon," dominating several local showcases and accumulating an undefeated record in fights across the U.S. and Mexico. Gaining the attention of the boxing community, Adams was requested for training camps by boxing contenders Shawn Porter, Gennady Golovkin and Antonio Margarito. In 2013, he signed with Banner Promotions and in 2015, he participated in ESPN's nationally televised annual Boxcino Tournament.
He ultimately finished runner-up in the tournament after a false blood doping accusation severely affected his training regiment, his ability to meet the required weight class, and his energy during the fight. A defeated fighter had falsely accused him of taking performance enhancers, which required Adams to be cleared by the Boxing Commission. After their independent blood tests cleared him to fight, he only had two days to lose twelve pounds. He accomplished this through the usage of sweat creams, sauna suits, and running. The extreme measures depleted his strength and caused him to lose the second round.
Relegating to full recovery mode over the next few years, in 2018 Brandon was invited to join season 5 of the EPIX network television show The Contender. The show revived his career, leading to his victory over Shane Mosley Jr. for the show finale and championship. Unfortunately, Big Al died from a heart attack during this time. Although severely affected by Big Al's death, Adams fought on 29 June 2019 against Jermall Charlo in Houston, Texas. Airing on Showtime with big box office appeal, the fight marked Brandon's national debut with over one million expected viewers. Charlo won the fight on points, retaining the WBC middleweight title.
In September 2025, Adams convincingly beat super welterweight contender Serhii Bohachuck for the second time. While the first victory was a come-from-behind knockout, the second victory was by a wide decision, with one judge scoring it 91-99, and the other two 92-98. Bohachuck came into the fight ranked as number one by the WBC at super welterweight and in the top five of the WBO and IBF rankings.
Adams is scheduled to face Caoimhín Agyarko in an eliminator for a shot at the IBF super-welterweight title at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, on 18 April 2026.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
30Win26–4Serhii BohachukUD10Sep 13, 2025Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29Loss25–4Andreas KatzourakisSD10Nov 22, 2024Corey Studios at Corey Tower, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
28Win25–3Francisco VerónUD10Aug 30, 2024Overtime Elite Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
27Win24–3Ismael VillarrealKO3,
2:59		Apr 19, 2024Overtime Elite Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
26Win23–3Serhii BohachukTKO8,
2:47		Mar 4, 2021Municipal Boxing Gym Felix Pagan Pintor, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
25Win22–3Sanny DuversonneUD12Dec 3, 2020Wild Card Boxing, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
24Loss21–3Jermall CharloUD12Jun 29, 2019NRG Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S.For WBC Middleweight title
23Win21–2Shane Mosley Jr.UD10Nov 9, 2018Kia Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.The Contender 5: Finals
22Win20–2Eric WalkerMD5May 22, 2018LADC Studios, Los Angeles, California, U.S.The Contender 5: Semi finals
21Win19–2Ievgen KhytrovUD5May 16, 2018LADC Studios, Los Angeles, California, U.S.The Contender 5: Quarter finals
20Win18–2Tyrone BrunsonKO4,
2:00		May 10, 2018LADC Studios, Los Angeles, California, U.S.The Contender 5: preliminary round
19Loss17–2John ThompsonTKO2,
2:18		May 22, 2015Omega Products International, Corona, California, U.S.For NABA and vacant WBO inter-continental super welterweight title
18Win17–1Vito GasparyanTKO7,
0:35		Apr 10, 2015Sands Bethlehem Event Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
17Win16–1Alex PerezTKO5,
2:47		Feb 13, 2015Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
16Win15–1Lekan ByfieldTKO2,
1:58		Jan 16, 2015Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
15Loss14–1Willie Monroe Jr.UD10May 23, 2014Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.For vacant WBA, NABA, and vacant WBO NABO middleweight titles
14Win14–0Raymond GaticaSD8Apr 18, 2014Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
13Win13–0Daniel EdouardRTD4,
3:00		Feb 28, 2014Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
12Win12–0Francisco Rios GilTKO2,
1:58		Sep 26, 2013Four Points Sheraton Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.
11Win11–0Daniel Yocupicio MendezKO4,
1:33		Jul 17, 2013Salon Las Pulgas, Tijuana, Mexico
10Win10–0Rafael Ortiz MorenoTKO3,
1:44		May 1, 2013Salon Las Pulgas, Tijuana, Mexico
9Win9–0Edgar BojorquezKO2,
1:53		Dec 19, 2012Salon Las Pulgas, Tijuana, Mexico
8Win8–0Yair AguiarKO2,
2:52		Nov 2, 2012Four Points Sheraton Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.
7Win7–0Moses AlvizoUD4Aug 18, 2012Hollywood Park Casino, Inglewood, California, U.S.
6Win6–0Cleven IsheUD4Jun 7, 2012Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, California, U.S.
5Win5–0Dave CourchaineKO1,
1:54		Jan 21, 2012Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
4Win4–0Raymundo IndaKO4,
2:00		Nov 4, 2011DoubleTree Hotel, Ontario, California, U.S.
3Win3–0John WorthyUD4Sep 30, 2011Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, California, U.S.
2Win2–0Miguel LopezKO4,
2:09		May 12, 2011Hollywood Park Casino, Inglewood, California, U.S.
1Win1–0Erin BeachUD4Mar 31, 2011Four Points Sheraton Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.