Terrell Gausha, Man in the Middle, Says He’s Ready for Next Step

Sports – and especially boxing – are where nuance goes to die. Got takes? The hotter, the better. Pick a lane and die on a hill, complexity be damned. Athletes are either GOATs (yes, somehow there are many) or “trash.” Any attempt at subtlety necessarily demands a snarky, soul-snatching mic drop.

So under that harsh light, what are we to do with Terrell Gausha?

A 2012 Olympian from Encino, California, Gausha (24-3-1, 12 KOs) is, on the one hand, a sturdy technician who has never been stopped and who has taken apart all but the very best of his professional competition. Despite his own modest knockout power, Gausha even dropped then-undefeated Tim Tszyu in 2022, in the Australian’s first fight in the U.S.

On the other hand, Gausha has fought too infrequently in recent years, fails to impress in key moments and has yet to beat a world-class opponent. He was overmatched by Erislandy Lara in his first world title fight, in 2017, fought the shop-worn Austin Trout to a draw in 2019, was outpointed by Erickson Lubin in 2020 and ultimately fell to Tszyu in his only other title shot.

As he prepares for his June 15 matchup with middleweight titleholder Carlos Adames at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Gausha, at 36, has the profile of a fighter who lives somewhere in the middle. Is he a journeyman? A gatekeeper? A fringe contender? Or is it possible he is simply the rare fighter who has saved his best for last?

“I feel confident coming into this fight,” Gausha said in a recent virtual press conference. “We’re putting the work in. I never cut corners and I’m a true professional. I’m coming to get the win. I have a great team behind me, and we’re prepared, for sure.

“I’m very confident and blessed to be in this position. I’m one of the type of guys that you can’t just run over. I’m the easiest person to make a fight with because I don’t fear anybody.”

It’s unlikely, though, that anyone doubts Gausha’s confidence or courage. His age, activity level and ability to close out top-shelf opponents are what tend to draw the most questions from boxing observers.

Gausha says his move up from junior middleweight should invigorate him.

“I’m more comfortable now at middleweight,” he said. “I can just focus on training, because I’m already on weight. I don’t make any excuses, but getting down to 154 put more wear and tear on my body.”

But even that assessment comes with a hedge: Although Gausha officially fought as a junior middleweight starting with the Lara matchup in 2017, he weighed in at 154 or lower in only three of his next seven fights – until a move up to middleweight in his most recent bout, a majority decision over KeAndrae Lockwood last September.

Hair-splitting semantic arguments aside, Gausha will get his chance to prove exactly where he stands in the boxing firmament next month when he takes on the 30-year-old Adames (23-1, 18 KOs), a credible, in-his-prime belt holder.

“Carlos Adames is a very solid fighter who brings a lot to the table,” Gausha said. “Everyone has holes, and I’ve been watching him since I moved up to middleweight. I know he brings the action and I’ve been preparing for a fight like this.

“I’m just ready to get what’s mine,” Gausha said. “I’m here for a reason. I don’t take this opportunity lightly. There’s no pressure for me. I’m just looking to go put on a great show.”