By Robert Coster

The Dominican Republic’s newest boxing idol is Carlos Adames, a 23-year-old unbeaten welterweight (11-0, 10 KOs) ranked 6th by the WBA. On Wednesday in Santo Domingo, Adames will be facing the biggest challenge of his young career. He will be defending his WBA Fedelatin title against former IBF super welterweight world champion Carlos Molina (28-6-2, 8 KOs) of Mexico. Molina is unbeaten in the past three years since losing his IBF crown and is now ranked WBC #7 and IBF #13 as a welterweight.

Flanked by his promoter/manager Jorge Luis Herasme, Carlos Adames commented, “I know it’s a giant step going against a former world champion and not a has-been but someone on the top of his game like Carlos Molina. I have seen video of his last fight and he’s one heck of a boxer. But I also know that I’m ready. Beating Molina will send a message to everybody in the welterweight division: Carlos Adames is for real and ready to fight the best!”

For his part, Molina who arrived at 2AM to the Dominican Republic, appeared quiet and self-assured. Commented Molina, “I am nobody’s stepping stone. I don’t mind fighting Adames in his backyard. In fact, it’s an added incentive.”

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman had this to say about the upcoming battle: “This a matchup between two excellent boxers putting on the line their boxing future, their prestige, and their rankings.”

“There you have it. Power and youth on the side of Adames, experience and craftiness on the side of Molina,” said promoter Herasme. “Adames vs Molina is a fight that could be shown on any channel in the USA – it’s top notch. The rest of the card is just as good, pitting the best young talents from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.”

The date is Wednesday, July 26th at the Jaragua Renaissance Hotel and Casino in Santo Domingo.