Carlos Caraballo Rodríguez is going to be a threat
The island of Puerto Rico has produced another great prospect named “Purin” Carlos Caraballo Rodriguez (14-0, 14ko). At 25-years old, the young undefeated prospect is tearing up the scene, and his career will only continue to grow towards greatness under the watchful eye of four-divisional champion Miguel Cotto.
Purin had an impressive amateur record of 143-14, was part of the Puerto Rican National Boxing Team, and he was a national champion. The talented boxer was immediately snatched up and signed to Miguel Cotto Promotions back in 2016, which prevented him from competing at the summer Olympic games in Rio.
Cotto, being a former champion, knows talent when he sees it, and there is plenty to get excited about in the young prospect. Purin is one devastating power puncher. However, do not get it twisted – the kid has serious attributes.
THE KID IS NOT A ONE DIMENSIONAL FIGHTER
The Puerto Rican fighter made his pro debut in 2016 and has knocked out every opponent since. Moreover, he has yet to go past six rounds while bouncing between two divisions, both bantamweight, and junior featherweight.
Caraballo, for such a young fighter, shows advanced in-ring I.Q by being able to gauge distance very well. Furthermore, he avoids smothering his punches by taking that half step back when opponents are up against the ropes.
Purin also has good defense and keeps his chin tucked down close to the chest. This makes it hard to land a flush shot and the fast hands provide for excellent counterpunching. However, probably his biggest asset is the footwork. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, the young prospect keeps his feet in perfect position.
He keeps the lead foot on the outside of orthodox fighters to move to the outside of them and land the right uppercut. Also, he switches from offense to defense with fluidity while finishing every combination with a body shot.
FIGHTING QUALITY COMPETITION
On July 21, 2018, Caraballo, with only seven professional fights, stopped veteran fighter Jesus Martinez. At that time, Martinez had a record of 24-3, 14 KOs. This was important considering the experience factor. Martinez had previously been in the ring with WBC Junior Featherweight champion Luis Nery.
The young undefeated prospect would get back into the ring with only nine fights and obliterate veteran Christian Esquivel (30-16-1 23ko) in one round. Esquivel had shared the ring with former world champion Daniel Roman, Rey Vargas, Rico Ramos, and faced Shinsuke Yamanaka for the WBC Bantamweight title.
On March 25, Purin took on Leonardo Baez (18-4, 9ko) in a classic Mexico vs Puerto Rico rivalry. The fight was on the undercard of unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano defending the titles against three-divisional champion Daniela Bermudez live on NBC Sports.
Baez has been in the ring with former title contender Moises Flores and Jason Moloney. He also has a twin brother, Eduardo Baez. Furthermore, both brothers were sparring partners for former WBA Super Flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.
SHOW UP AND SHOW OUT
Carballo was amped fighting in front of the hometown crowd of Puerto Rico. He jumped on Baez as if he owed him some money. The Puerto Rican fighter knocked down the Mexican fighter after landing a left uppercut and two hard left hooks in the first round.
This was a war as both men fought in a phonebooth. Baez bounced back, showing that Mexican pride. He started going to the body and using his size advantage to force his opponent against the ropes, where he landed a good overhand right. Purin was digging to the body with that left hook and continued to land the left uppercut, which begin to slow down the Mexican fighter.
However, in the fourth round, Caraballo went nuclear and attacked Baez with a vicious body assault and landed a perfectly-timed left hook. Yet, it was the body attack that had Baez dead on his feet. His corner finally threw in the towel to stop the fight.
The young man has just put the entire boxing community on notice, and both the bantamweight and junior featherweight divisions better pay attention becomes he has arrived.
By: Garrisson Bland
