Armory, Minneapolis - In a showdown for the WBC's interim-middleweight title, Carlos Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) secured a stoppage win over former unified champion Julian Williams (28-4-1, 16 KOs) in the ninth round. (photos by Esther Lin)

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Williams came out boxing from the outside in the first. They were both cautious, with Adames applying a lot of pressure.  Adames went after Williams with big punches in the second, pressing forward and unloading with heavy combinations. Williams was holding and blocking to get out of trouble, and then countering when needed.

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In the third, both had their moments with Williams landing solid shots to the body and head. Adames came back with combinations at the end. The fourth saw Adames once again unload with a high volume of big punches. Williams was certainly rocked and held on for dear life to make it to the bell.

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During the fifth, it was give and take with both connecting with solid punches. Adames was landing the harder shots. The sixth began with both having their moments. There was some solid exchanges between them on the inside. In the seventh, Adames was really digging hard to the body of Williams. Adames had strong moments in the eight, but Williams was game and connected with several solid shots of his own.

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Adames seemed to rock Williams once again during the ninth and was unloading with hard shots again. Williams was cut under the right eye. Adames kept pressing and unloading with punches, Williams was hurt but blocking very well - with the referee jumping in to stop the fight.

Williams' trainer became irate with the stoppage as both camps began to trade words.

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