Though he calls Las Vegas home now, featherweight contender Bruce Carrington remains a New Yorker at his core. On June 8, he’ll bring his boxing talents back to his hometown for the fifth time in twelve fights, facing the seasoned Mexican fighter Enrique Vivas in a ten-round bout at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Despite training across the country, Carrington still receives an outpouring of support when he’s back in New York.
"Even if I’m just walking down the street, people recognize me and want to take pictures. It's happening more and more," said Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs).
Nicknamed “Shu Shu,” Carrington aims to impress his hometown crowd by taking on Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs), a 29-year-old fighter from Texcoco, Mexico, now based in Montebello, California. Vivas, a veteran with a decade-long career, has only three losses against notable contenders Ruben Villa, Joet Gonzalez, and Eduardo Baez. Known for his durability, Vivas has never been stopped and has demonstrated resilience by overcoming knockdowns, as seen in his 2021 fight against Luis Coria.
"I expect him to be relentless, just like in every fight. He’s a come-forward guy who barely takes a step back—like fighting The Terminator," said Carrington. "This is a great opportunity to show that I’m on a different level than the guys he’s faced. I plan to stop this nonstop train in front of my New York fans."
A significant boost for Carrington's training camp has been working alongside lightweight star Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Preparing for his own fight against Frank Martin on June 15 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Davis has been training with Carrington, pushing each other to new heights.
"Training with top-level fighters always makes you better. I like surrounding myself with more experienced fighters to accelerate my progress," Carrington said, crediting his head trainer Kay Koroma. "Learning from Tank, watching him and his sparring partners, has been invaluable. I'll be showcasing what I've learned on June 8."
At 27, Carrington is aware that his path to a world title needs to be expedited. He envisions 2025 as the year he breaks into the title picture, regardless of which champion stands in his way.
"It’s time for me to make a significant impact and become a high-demand fighter. I want to challenge champions who can't avoid me. If you’re a real fighter, prove it by stepping into the ring with me. I’m high risk, but that’s what being a fighter is about," Carrington asserted.
"When it comes to featherweight champions, I’m ready for anyone. Whether it’s Luis Alberto Lopez, Rey Vargas, Raymond Ford, or Rafael Espinoza, they all can get it. I’m focused on building my image and brand to earn my shot. When the time comes, I’ll be ready."
Carrington’s journey to boxing stardom is poised to take a significant step forward on June 8, as he looks to deliver a spectacular performance in front of his hometown crowd, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the featherweight division.