The Career of Adam Maca: Matchroom's Rising Prospect

Luca Twort - SportsScope Editor

Fighting out of Brighton, UK, with Albanian and Yemen parents, Adam wasn't your average standout boxing prospect. His boxing journey began when he was just five years old, stepping foot into his very first boxing gym. His amateur record consisted of an impressive 28 wins, 9 of which were by way of knockout, losing only 4 of his 32 amateur bouts. Complimenting his record were his achievements within the amateurs, including two-time junior European champion, a five-time national champion, and representing Albania at the IBA World Junior Championships, where he then secured a silver medal. It was around this time roughly that he joined Dan Woledges gym, Ropes and Glory in Chatham, Kent, where he was then signed by Eddies Hearns Matchroom Boxing. 

Little did Adam Maca know that his debut for Matchroom would take place under the lights of Madison Square Garden in New York, on the undercard of Hitchins vs Kambosos Jr. Described as the “mecca of boxing” hosting some of the greatest fights of all time, the Albanian was matched up against Dominican featherweight Rafael Castillo, who suited Adam's Orthodox stance, Maca set the toneearly in his debut, as he stopped Castillo within the 2^nd round out of the four remaining. After a series of body shots followed by a sharp left hook, Castillo fell off balance, providing an opportunity for Maca to secure his first professional knockout as referee Arthur Mercante Jr, stepped in to stop the fight. 

After a successful pro debut, Maca continued to showcase his ability as he travelled to Rainton, UK, to face Francisco Rodrigues as part of the undercard of McCormack Vs Paro at the Rainton Meadows arena. This was the first time Adam had fought professionally in his home country. With just one minute and twenty-two seconds remaining in the fourth round, Maca landed a right-hand causingRodrigues drop to the canvas. Despite Rodrigues getting back to his feet, Maca continued to pressure his opponent, resulting in Francisco's cornet throwing in the towel. This victory moved Maca up to 2-0, adding another technical knockout to his professional record. 

Fight night underneath the York Hall lights was next up for Adam Maca, as he faced tough Argentinian featherweight Juan Alberto Batista. York hall ‘the home of British Boxing’  known for hostinga numerous amount of iconic domestic fights, since it was built in the 1950s, with links to the infamous Kray twins in the early 50s. Maca fought Batista on the Liddard Vs Conway undercard, a historical main event, which saw George Liddard become the youngest British and Commonwealth Middleweight Champion. Similar to his last bout, Maca stopped his opponent within the fourth and final round, with referee Lee Every stopping the contest.

The eighteen-year-old prospect continued to show why he is the world's hottest prospect in world boxing, as he continuously stepped up on the big stages, overcoming Brandon Gallardo Vargas and Maltese fighter Lydon Chircop, who came into his bout with Maca on a winning record. The question remains who can stop Maca?