The decision also changes the shape of The Ring 6 cards revealed on Saturday on DAZN Pay per view. Adams vs. Williams was one of the event’s few confirmed title fights, and its cancellation left a glaring hole in the lineup surrounding the Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson main event.

For Adams, the exit interrupted an already shaky run. His most recent fight, a draw with Hamzah Sheeraz last October, left the title fight hanging in the balance and hampered any direct unification fight. The purpose of this fight is to get the belt running again. Instead, it becomes another kind of delay.

Williams still hasn’t gotten the opportunity he’s been preparing for. This fight will be his first challenge for a full world title and his chance to establish himself at this level. The opportunity was gone before the bell even rang.

The middleweight division has spent much of the past year stalling rather than fighting. The compulsory build-up was slow, orderly play struggled to get to the ring, and the top spot in the group remained unchanged. Whatever the reason, Adams’ exit adds to that record.

The card will continue. Ownership will remain with its holder. What was missing again was a turn to force the division to move.