“Shu Shu” Carrington Looking to be the Next Great Fighter from Brownsville
The Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York has a unique significance, from a historical perspective. It’s the place that produced undisputed heavyweight champions “Iron” Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe. It’s also home to former 140 and 147-pound world champ Zab Judah and two-time middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs. Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (2-0, 1 KO) aspires to be the next great fighter from Brownsville.
After being introduced to the sport at age seven, he evolved into one of the top fighters in U.S. Amateur boxing. After becoming an alternate on the 2016 United States Olympic boxing team, he bypassed an opportunity to turn pro. Instead, he turned his focus on making the 2020 Olympic team.
His patience stick-to-it-iveness seemed to pay off at the 2020 Olympic trials. As the number eight seed, Carrington steamrolled through the featherweight tournament. Going undefeated, he beat the division’s number one seed, Duke Ragan, and was named the most outstanding boxer of the trials. He was one step closer to qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
RIPPED AWAY AND CRUSHED
Then came COVID-19. Due to concerns over the virus, the Tokyo games were pushed to 2021. Things then went from bad to worse. The International Olympic (IOC) Boxing Task Forces canceled the Americas qualifier tournament in August of 2021, also because of COVID-19. To determine who would represent Team USA, the IOC decided to use the rankings from 2019, not 2020. Because Ragan was ranked higher, Team USA gave him the slot despite his loss to Carrington at the Olympic trails. It was a controversial decision.Ragan went on to win Silver at the Tokyo game.
Suddenly, Carrington’s dreams were taken away as if by a thief in the night. He discussed the bitter disappointment during an interview with Boxing World Weekly.
“I was the Olympic alternate for the 2016 Olympic team. Then I finally get just that close to making it on the 2020 team, and at the same time, I’m so far. It just sucked.”
It’s something I really had dreams about and winning that Olympic gold medal […] I believe I was ready to win that Olympic gold medal, but things happen for a reason. One door closed and another one opens.”
DREAMING BIG
Because of that unfortunate experience, Carrington has a heavy chip on his shoulder when he steps in the ring. He made his pro debut on the undercard of Fury-Wilder III with a four-round decision over Cesar Cantu. In December of 2021, he signed a multi-fight deal with Top Rank. On January 29, 2022, he made easy work of Steven Brown, disposing of him in two rounds.
What makes him a prospect to watch is his array of physical qualities. At 5’8” with a 72-inch reach and big, broad shoulders, he’s imposing for a featherweight. Against Brown, the New Yorker displayed skills, speed, and power, landing with creative combinations to the head and body. Former two-division champion Tim Bradley was ringside doing commentary for the fight on ESPN+ and believes he has world championship potential.
When it comes to what “Shu Shu” envisions for himself, the long-term goal is to win a world featherweight title, unify the division, and become a multi-divisional world champion. His nickname was just something given to him as a kid with no real meaning. But in Egyptian, it means “the one who rises above all”. Bruce Carrington hopes that meaning is a sign of things to come.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
