The middleweight division is a great one to be part of, though the land of the super-middleweights might be a bit more fun.

WBC titleholder Carlos Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) loves being referred to as “champ” when he walks through any public venue. But, the 31-year-old hasn’t been able to lock in a fight with unified WBO/IBF champion Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs).

Still, he did get the chance to swap fists with former highly-ranked and highly-regarded contender, Hamzah Sheeraz in his latest title defence.

By the time the final bell rang on their February showdown, Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) was positive that arguably the biggest win of his career was safely in the bag. However, a split decision draw was what he was forced to settle for.

The 31-year-old is still looking for his next move. Sheeraz, on the other hand, has a date lined up with Edgar Berlanga. In terms of who has the edge, Adames isn’t entirely sure. What he does know though, is Berlanga should be facing him instead.

“Sheeraz is a good fighter,” Adames told The Ring. “It’s a good fight. Berlanga is a natural 168 and Sheeraz is moving up but I think the best fight that could have been made was me vs. Berlanga. I think that would have been an even bigger and greater fight.”

Ditching his WBC title and moving up in weight is something Adames has flirted with in the past but he’s also interested in ending his rivalry with Alimkhanuly, who finds himself in a similar position mulling the possibility of a super-middleweight move.

Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) doesn’t own a world title but he’s a dangerous puncher with star power written all over him. In no way shape or form does Adames believe he’ll walk right over him but if the fans wanted to see an all-action fight, feels that’s the one they should be rooting for.

“It would be a great fight,” continued Adames. “Berlanga is a guy who has a lot of resistance. We both have power. I think that would be an amazing fight.”