BRUCE Carrington cemented his fringe world-level credentials by eradicating Brayan De Gracia in spherical eight of their scheduled 10-round featherweight scrap. ‘Shu Shu’ was chief assist to Xander Zayas’ lopsided determination victory over Patrick Teixeira in the primary occasion.
The Brownsville native used his phone pole jab early on to measure De Gracia, who agreed to the battle on three days’ discover. Hailing from Panama, De Gracia had one of many all-time greats, Roberto Duran, admiring his countryman’s work from ringside.
Carrington landed a robust left hook on the shut of spherical two and adopted it up in spherical three with a calculated physique assault that strayed as little as De Gracia’s thigh. Described by ESPN pundit Mark Kriegel as possessing “Brownsville swagger mixed with Olympic pedigree”, Carrington despatched his man to the canvas in spherical 5 when a brief shot glanced off the again of Brayan’s wavering head.
Before his most up-to-date loss to Edward Vazquez, De Gracia had been having fun with a five-fight KO streak however had been inactive since that loss in mid-2023. The tempo was beginning to inform on the Panamanian whose nostril dripped blood early within the sixth. Carrington was the one actually smelling blood and he despatched De Gracia spinning towards the ropes on the finish of spherical seven for an additional depend.
The former WBA Fedecentro featherweight champion had nothing extra to supply and Carrington closed the present in spherical eight, strolling his survival-minded foe down, hammering dwelling a cavalcade of blows that prompted referee Eric Dali to step in at 2-56 of the eighth.
Carrington was nicely conscious of Naoya Inoue’s presence within the crowd, stating: “There’s a reason he came to watch me, I’m making noise. I definitely want to make that fight happen sometime soon.”
Carrington improves his report to 12-0 (8 KOs). De Gracia falls to 29-4-1 (25 KOs) however could also be introduced again to check a number of the minor prospects on future Top Rank exhibits. The unused judges have been Ken Ezzo, Max DeLuca, and Bernard Bruni.
Labeled as ESPN’s 2023 prospect of the yr, Bruce got here in because the fourth-ranked contender by the WBO. Champion Rafael Espinoza fights Sergio Sanchez on June 21. Below Carrington is Ruben Villa, who would signify a stable check to see if Carrington can hold on the high.
Carrington is #12 with the IBF. Luis Alberto Lopez, additionally a part of the Top Rank steady, holds that title. Rey Vargas presently (nearly) holds the WBC title, whereas Brandon Figueroa has their Interim bauble. Carrington is seventh with that organisation.
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