Carlos Adames-Patrick Teixeira upgraded to interim title fight

In anticipation of champion Jaime Munguia vacating his belt before a permanent move to middleweight, the WBO has upgraded this Saturday’s super welterweight bout between top contenders Carlos Adames and Patrick Teixeira from final eliminator to interim title fight, “with the winner likely to be elevated to the full titleholder at next week’s WBO convention in Tokyo.”

It’s the expected outcome; Adames (18-0, 14 KO) and Teixeira (30-1, 22 KO) are ranked #1 and #2, respectively, by the sanctioning body at 154 pounds. In addition, the fight was already scheduled for 12 rounds, so there won’t be any functional difference come fight night.

Saturday’s ESPN+ main event pits Oscar Valdez against Andres Gutierrez in what’s both the former’s 130-pound debut and the expected final bout before the former featherweight champ challenges Miguel Berchelt next year. Would-be Valdez foe Carl Frampton will be in action as well, taking on late replacement Tyler McCreary in lieu of the injured Isaac Dogboe.