Featherweight Bruce Carrington notched another victory at the weekend and continued to call out two-division undisputed champion Naoya Inoue. The cultured slugger showed no fear in challenging one of the greatest lower-weight fighters of the modern era.
Carrington stopped Bryan De Gracia in the eighth round on Saturday night at the Madison Square Garden Theater.
For Carrington (12-0, 8 KOs), the victory marks the beginning of what he dubs “Shu York City,” a play on his nickname “Shu Shu,” as he aims to become a marquee attraction in the city that never sleeps. With Inoue in the building Saturday night, Carrington addressed the champion’s presence after his impressive performance against the 30-year-old late substitute, De Gracia (29-4-1, 25 KOs).
“It is interesting he is here and he came to watch,” said Carrington, who bowed at Inoue and got a respectful wave by way of reciprocation. “He is leaving now, so obviously he came to watch me.”
Carrington has called for a fight with Inoue early in his career, despite not yet holding a title. He is currently ranked No. 4 by the WBO, No. 7 by the WBC, and No. 12 by the IBF. Carrington believes his rapid rise to the top of the division tweaked Inoue’s interest and explained why he stayed at the event to watch his fight.
Whether Inoue would have watched if he hadn’t been in the U.S. to pick up his Fighter of the Year Award from the Boxing Writers Association of America last week is unknown, however.
“I am ringing bells and making noise,” Carrington said. “I definitely want to make that fight happen sometime soon.”
Reflecting on his win, Carrington added, “He was a tough opponent. He came to fight.”