Golden Boy Promotions secured a credible future option for Vergil Ortiz Jr. by signing Brandon Adams, yet the transaction arrives too late to upgrade the December 5th DAZN PPV card. Keith Thurman holds that spot, making Adams an appealing option, but one that arrives at an inconvenient moment for fans.
Thurman’s recognizable past moves the promotional needle for pay-per-view, but his recent ring form does not justify top billing against an elite puncher in his prime. After getting battered and stopped in six rounds by Sebastian Fundora, Thurman looks completely spent at the world level. He has fought sparingly over the last several years, his timing is faded, and putting him in front of Vergil Ortiz Jr. feels more like an orchestrated cash grab than a legitimate sporting contest.
Adams would have provided a much harder night of work. He is active, possesses real grit, and holds two genuine victories over Serhii Bohachuk, including the unanimous decision in their rematch. That type of form provides actual resistance. Adams would force Ortiz to think, work on the inside, and deal with physical pressure.
Instead, paying viewers are asked to buy a legacy name whose best days happened nearly a decade ago at welterweight. Thurman likely tries to survive on movement early, but once Ortiz closes the distance and starts digging to the body, it probably turns one-sided in a hurry. It makes sense for Golden Boy money-wise, but it shortchanges anyone hoping to see Ortiz tested inside the ropes.
As for Adams, he cannot afford to let another half year slip away while Golden Boy waits on the aftermath of Ortiz Jr. versus Thurman. Having him sit on a shelf neutralizes the value of that September 2025 win over Bohachuk. Golden Boy needs to treat Adams as an active weapon rather than a back pocket backup plan.
Â
