Bohachuk vs Adams preview, predictions, breakdown, who wins the fight?

Ring City USA is back on Thursday night (Mar. 4, 9 pm ET, NBCSN) with a good-looking main event at 154 pounds, pitting unbeaten Serhii Bohachuk (18-0, 18 KO) against veteran Brandon Adams (22-3, 14 KO) in a 10-round bout.

Does Bohachuk keep rolling, or can Adams derail the hype train before it even really gets going too fast?

We make our picks.

Scott Christ (9-3-1)

I’m not torn on my winner pick here so much, though maybe I should be. Bohachuk absolutely has not fought anyone as good or crafty as Adams, and guys with Bohachuk records have a tendency to get found out at some point, even if they bounce back enough to have careers. I mean, remember when David Lemieux lost to Marco Antonio Rubio and Joachim Alcine back-to-back after picking up strong hype?

Bohachuk can fight, I’m pretty sure of that. But Adams is no bum, either. Where I’m torn is more on method of victory. Adams went 12 with Jermall Charlo, so I could see him ending Bohachuk’s KO streak at the very least, but I wonder how much of that was Charlo just going into cruise control, too, something I don’t see Bohachuk doing. I’ll take the Ukrainian to bust through in the later rounds and force the ref’s hand. (Though it is also worth noting Bohachuk has never gone past six rounds.) Bohachuk TKO-8

Wil Esco (9-3-1)

I can only imagine that Bohachuk is coming into this fight highly confident in his ability as he maintains a record of 18 wins with 18 stoppages. That would indicate that even if Bohachuk hasn’t faced elite competition as of yet, he must have some pretty good pop in his punches. But Brandon Adams was just recently interviewed and openly questioned Bohachuk’s power, making it seem like he’s not convinced Bohachuk is all he’s made out to be.

Adams is obviously a pretty decent fighter that’s never made it over the hump, and one has to ask if he’s really going to make that leap at this stage of his career. I think there’s no question that Bohachuk has the higher ceiling right now, and I’m going to lean towards him to pull out the win while having his KO streak broken. After going the full 12 rounds against Jermall Charlo, I think Adams is experienced and crafty enough to avoid the KO. Bohachuk UD-10

How to Watch Ring City USA: Bohachuk vs Adams

Date: Thursday, Mar. 4 | Start Time: 9:00 pm ET (7:00 pm ET prelims)
Location: Felix Pagan Pintor Gym - Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
TV: NBCSN | Streaming: Twitch (Prelims)
Online Coverage: BadLeftHook.com

Patrick L. Stumberg (9-3-1)

I liked this matchup when it was announced and I like it even more now that I’ve done some proper tape study. Though Bohachuk looked excellent in his 2019 dismantling of Tyrone Brunson, utilizing his jab to great effect while demonstrating impressive patience, he was overly willing to mix it up inside with the very limited Alejandro Davila last time out. Adams’ December mauling of Sanny Duversonne showed the dangers of giving Adams the chance to let his hands go in the pocket; Bohachuk can’t afford to be that lackadaisical with his range management again.

Still, Bohachuk’s edge in firepower should be sufficient to bail him out of any hairy moments and he’s got a considerable edge at range. I say Adams lasts the distance, but finds himself outgunned at a distance and unable to turn the tide in close. Bohachuk UD-10

Lewis Watson (9-3-1)

Brandon Adams is a very good test for a prospect looking to turn into a contender. He’s tough, can land heavy combinations and won’t allow Bohachuk just to tee off on him. Bohachuk will have to think a little more about how to get the job done than in his previous blowouts. He’s an awkward come-forward kinda fighter with obvious power, but creating the angles against the jab and movement of Adams may take him a few rounds to figure out. Still, I can imagine Bohachuk will get through eventually. Bohachuk KO-8

And the staff winner is...

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Serhii Bohachuk (4-0)!