The Top Rank road show lands at the Theater at Madison Square Garden this Friday night. But while the ESPN main event is the clash between WBC junior lightweight titlist, O'Shaquie Foster, and Abraham Nova, the local attraction on this card is Brooklyn's own Bruce Carrington. 'Shu Shu' faces Bernardo Torres (18-1, 8 KOs) on a scheduled 10 rounder.
In his last outing back in December, Carrington dispatched the seasoned Jason Sanchez in two explosive rounds.
What was expected to be a step up, ended up being a definitive statement by Carrington (10-0, 6 KOs) who served notice that he is perhaps no longer just a prospect, but now a young contender.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
"I think I delivered because everyone was saying that, 'that match-up with Sanchez is going to be a tough fight for 'Shu Shu', it might go rounds, he might get him tired, he might beat him,''' said the 26 year old Carrington, who took out Sanchez -- who had gone the distance in the past with the likes of Oscar Valdez, Zelfa Barrett, Adam Lopez and Christopher Diaz -- in less than two.
Bruce Shu Shu Carrington Puts A Stamp on 2023 With Tremendous Knockout Win | FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
"For me to be able to win the fight the way I did, the fashion that I did, and how quick it was done, yeah, I definitely made a statement," stated Carrington, who then started to collect some trophies for his strong 2023 campaign. "I became 'prospect of the year' from ESPN, and for the Ring (Magazine). It was a big deal, a huge deal for me, and I'm happy, happy for the results."
Carrington does not downplay the importance of these awards. They matter to him.
"It definitely is important to me because it lets me know that the people are appreciating my craft and watching me, and they really like what I do in the ring," said the well-schooled technician, who grew up Brownsville. "I always make sure to give a crowd-pleasing performance, and I really hope that I'm pleasing my crowd as much as I can."
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
His progress and the way he handles himself have pleased the head of Top Rank, Bob Arum, who told SNAC.com, "He's a lovely kid, he's got a tremendous personality, and he's a very, very good fighter, a very charismatic fighter. We think he can go all the way. I think he can become a real star."
What also sets Carrington apart, isn't just his skills, but his intelligence. He just 'gets it'. When you talk to him, there is an uncommon maturity to him that quite frankly is missing from a lot of young, modern day boxers.
"He's a very intelligent kid, and a nice kid to promote," said Arum, who also lauds the likes of Abdullah Mason and Emiliano Vargas for the way they conduct themselves. "He doesn't give you a lot of sh*t."
At this moment, Carrington is ranked by the WBO at number 11. The goal in 2024 is to move up the rankings and continue to sharpen his tools. "We plan to do four to five fights this year -- I really want to do five," he says. ''After this fight, I want to fight in April, I want to fight in June, September and then December. That's how active I want to to be."
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Then a title shot in 2025. For Carrington, this year is about further establishing his footing as a fighter, and getting as much exposure as possible. Again, he gets it.
''It really doesn't make sense to have a title shot this year, just yet. I've got a lot of building to do in terms of my fan base and what not. But in terms of me physically and mentally, I'm ready," said Carrington last week in Las Vegas, while at the weigh-in for the Teofimo Lopez-Jamaine Ortiz fight at the Mandalay Bay.
The likes of Rafael Espinoza, Luis Alberto Lopez, Rey Vargas, and perhaps even a Naoya Inoue can wait. For now, Carrington, who now resides in Las Vegas, will enjoy this weeks homecoming.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
"I love fighting in New York, it's always a dream come true to fight in New York City, Madison Square Garden in front of my hometown people," stated Carrington. "But now this one is super special because I'm fighting on ESPN nationwide.
"It's going to be the 'Shu Shu Show' for sure."
(IN)ACTIVITY MATTERS
I saw an interesting tweet from former unified junior featherweight champion, Stephen Fulton, who groused about his lack of fights in recent years.
Meanwhile, the guy who stopped him last summer, Inoue, has already fought in December, will face Luis Nery in May, and then plans to have another two fights after that in '24. Currently, Fulton has nothing scheduled for him.
3KR
This weeks episode of 'the 3 Knockdown Rule', Mario Lopez and I review Teofimo Lopez-Jamaine Ortiz, and discuss the future of Canelo Alvarez:
THE 3 KNOCKDOWN RULE EPISODE 34 | LOPEZ VS ORTIZ | GARCIA VS HANEY CONFIRMED
Go to the Linktree to subscribe to '3KR' on your preferred platform:
3knockdownrule - Listen on YouTube, Spotify - Linktree
FINAL FLURRIES
Matchroom Boxing has announced that they have entered into a promotional pact with IBF 140-pound champion, Subriel Matias....Carrington-Torres will lead off the main portion of the ESPN telecast on Friday starting at 9 pm, ET/ 6 pm, PT. Which will then be followed by Andres Cortes-Bryan Chevalier, then Foster-Nova. So will this main event start before midnight for the folks on the East Coast?... Joseph Diaz headlines on DAZN on Thursday evening from the Commerce Casino....Mike Coppinger of ESPN is reporting that the rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall has been set for April 27. They should call this one, 'Spoiled Milk'....I can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com.....
