Hardcore boxing fans recognize Adames, but he isn’t a major attraction even within that audience. Casual viewers have considerably less reason to know him. He hasn’t built the kind of following that creates public demand for opponents to face him.

That leaves promoters looking at basic economics. They will risk valuable fighters when the potential reward justifies it. Beating Adames doesn’t necessarily produce a substantial payday or dramatically increase a fighter’s profile, while losing to him can derail bigger plans.

Remaining at middleweight has only worsened the problem. The division has been stagnant for years, without the kind of stars who generate major audiences and create lucrative opportunities for everyone around them. There is no Canelo Alvarez or Gennadiy Golovkin attracting attention to 160 pounds.

Adames hasn’t even received the benefit of fighting the division’s most interesting emerging talent. Yoenli Hernandez is arguably the most gifted young middleweight, while Tim Tszyu has only recently arrived at 160 pounds with an established name and following. Adames spent much of his title run in a division offering little commercial help.

Hamzah Sheeraz read the situation differently and moved to 168 pounds. Adames should have made that move long ago. Super middleweight offered bigger names and greater opportunities while he remained stuck at 160 waiting for opportunities that weren’t materializing.

Reaching free agency has exposed an uncomfortable reality. Removing promotional barriers doesn’t automatically create demand.

Adames calls other fighters cowards, but promoters prioritize revenue over courage. He is good enough and powerful enough to beat valuable fighters, but he doesn’t generate the audience that compensates them for taking that chance.

That’s a bad combination for a fighter looking for voluntary opponents, and becoming a free agent hasn’t changed it.