Brandon Adams

Brandon Quincy Adams (born July 31, 1989) is an American professional boxer who challenged for the WBC middleweight title in 2019. He was the winner of season 5 of 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. 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 was 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. The fight was cancelled after Adams collapsed in his hotel room and was taken to hospital before the weigh-in.

Professional boxing record