Carlos Adames vs Gerome Warburton Preview: Zuffa Boxing 13 Heads to Riyadh

Carlos Adames has a world title, a reputation as one of the best middleweights around and some serious ambitions for the next stage of his career. Gerome Warburton, meanwhile, has spent 2026 upsetting expectations and now finds himself facing the biggest name of his career.

That’s the headline attraction at Zuffa Boxing 13 on Saturday, November 14, with the two meeting over ten rounds at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

There’s a decent supporting cast, too. Former bantamweight world champion Jason Moloney returns against dangerous Mexican Andres Teran, Bruno Surace faces unbeaten Kamil Bednarek, and several promising prospects get another opportunity to make an impression.

The seven-fight show will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and Paramount+ in the United States.

Main Event: Carlos Adames vs Gerome Warburton

WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames (25-1-1) makes his Zuffa Boxing debut against Welsh southpaw Gerome Warburton (18-2-2) in a ten-round contest at a contracted weight of 165 pounds.

Adames is coming off a convincing victory over Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams in March, successfully defending his WBC middleweight crown for the third time. The Dominican has now gone eight fights unbeaten and is looking to turn his standing in the division into bigger opportunities.

He’s a difficult man to get comfortable against. Adames can punch, applies pressure intelligently and has the experience to change his approach when an opponent starts figuring him out. With 18 stoppages on his record, he’s certainly capable of ending matters early.

Warburton is an interesting opponent, though, and perhaps a better one than some will give him credit for.

The Welshman has beaten former British middleweight champion Nathan Heaney twice on points this year, results that have transformed his prospects. He’s not a particularly destructive puncher, with just two stoppages in 18 victories, but his southpaw stance, movement and willingness to stick to a game plan could make things awkward.

There’s a considerable difference between beating Heaney and handling Adames, of course. Warburton will need to avoid getting drawn into prolonged exchanges and find ways to disrupt the champion’s rhythm.

For me, the biggest question is whether Warburton can make Adames work hard enough to become frustrated. If he can keep the fight at his preferred distance and nick rounds with clean counters, this could be more competitive than the names suggest.

But Adames is the clear favourite for good reason. He’s the more proven operator at world level, carries the heavier hands and should have the tools to take control as the rounds progress.

One important distinction: although Adames holds the WBC middleweight championship, this contest takes place at 165 pounds and is not a world title defence.

Co-Main Event: Jason Moloney vs Andres Teran

Australian former world champion Jason Moloney (29-4-0) takes on Mexico’s Andres Teran (19-2-0) in a ten-round bantamweight contest that could be one of the night’s better fights.

Moloney has rebuilt some momentum with consecutive victories in Australia and now makes his first appearance under the Zuffa Boxing banner.

At his best, Moloney is a busy, disciplined fighter who works well behind his jab and doesn’t mind getting stuck into exchanges. He’s been around the top level long enough to know what is required, but at this stage of his career another defeat would make his ambitions of returning to world championship contention considerably harder to realise.

Teran isn’t coming to Riyadh simply to make up the numbers.

The Mexican made an impression in June when he stopped previously unbeaten Floyd Diaz in the sixth round at Zuffa Boxing 8. With 14 knockouts among his 19 victories, he has the power to make Moloney think twice about trading punches.

This looks like a contest where Moloney’s experience and work rate could be tested by Teran’s aggression. The Australian may have the better boxing pedigree, but Teran has already shown he can spoil the plans of a fancied opponent.

I’d be surprised if this one turned into a quiet tactical affair.

Bruno Surace vs Kamil Bednarek

France’s Bruno Surace (26-1-2) faces unbeaten Polish super middleweight Kamil Bednarek (17-0-0) over ten rounds.

Surace remains best known for his spectacular knockout victory over Jaime Munguia in December 2024, one of the biggest upsets of that year. He subsequently lost their rematch on points, but that first result demonstrated what can happen when an opponent underestimates his timing and counter-punching ability.

Bednarek arrives with a perfect professional record and ten stoppage victories, although this represents an opportunity to prove himself against a fighter with considerably more experience.

Surace isn’t a huge puncher by conventional measures, but Munguia discovered that statistics don’t always tell the full story. Bednarek will need to be careful about charging forward and giving the Frenchman opportunities to land clean counters.

It’s an intriguing test for both men, particularly Bednarek, whose unbeaten record will face a meaningful examination.

Undercard

Radzhab Butaev vs Alexander Castro

Former world champion Radzhab Butaev (16-2-0) meets Colombia’s Alexander Castro (15-2-0) in a ten-round middleweight contest. Butaev brings plenty of experience, while Castro has the opportunity to make a name for himself against an established opponent. One of the more interesting preliminary bouts.

Ivan Ortiz vs Dariial Kuchmenov

Unbeaten Mexican Ivan Ortiz (13-0-2) faces Russia’s Dariial Kuchmenov (10-0-0) over eight rounds at lightweight. Ortiz comes into the fight following a victory over previously unbeaten Justin Viloria, while Kuchmenov has been building a reputation for finishing opponents. Neither has tasted defeat, so somebody’s unbeaten record could disappear.

Rakhmatullo Boymatov vs Moro Inusah Kanla

Uzbekistan’s Rakhmatullo Boymatov (1-0-0), also billed as Tullo Boymatov, takes on Ghana’s Moro Inusah Kanla (10-1-0) in an eight-round light heavyweight contest. Boymatov is only beginning his professional career, while Kanla has considerably more bouts behind him. An interesting bit of matchmaking.

Jakhongir Zokirov vs Brandon Colantonio

Uzbek heavyweight Jakhongir Zokirov (2-0-0) continues his professional development against Canada’s Brandon Colantonio (8-2-0) over six rounds. Zokirov is still in the early stages of his career, but facing a man with ten professional fights should provide another useful test.

Final Thoughts

Adames should win the main event, but Warburton has earned his opportunity and won’t be short of confidence after his recent results.

Moloney against Teran might actually deliver the better scrap, while Surace against Bednarek has the makings of a tricky fight to predict.

Seven bouts, a few interesting prospects and a Welshman trying to pull off a sizeable upset in Riyadh. Not a bad Saturday’s boxing.