The unbeaten featherweight champion overcame his toughest moments before closing strongly to retain his title by unanimous decision in Cleveland
Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington retained his WBC featherweight title after overcoming a controversial eighth-round moment and a determined challenge from Rene Palacios. The unbeaten champion finished the stronger fighter to earn a unanimous decision in Cleveland and complete his first successful title defense.
The judges scored the bout 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112, giving Carrington the first successful defense of the title he captured earlier this year.
Carrington, 18-0 (10 KOs), took command from the opening bell, using his southpaw jab, sharp footwork and accurate combinations to keep the aggressive Palacios from establishing a consistent rhythm. The Brooklyn native repeatedly controlled the distance and forced the Mexican challenger to chase him around the ring.
Palacios, 19-1-1 (10 KOs), enjoyed his best stretch in the middle rounds as he increased the pressure and attempted to turn the fight into a close-range battle. The biggest talking point came in the eighth round when a right hand behind the ear sent Carrington off balance and to the canvas. Referee Harvey Dock declined to score it a knockdown, ruling the sequence a slip or the result of an illegal punch.
Carrington responded by taking control of the closing rounds. Working behind his jab, he mixed body shots with combinations and used his movement to keep Palacios from mounting another sustained rally.
The unanimous decision improved Carrington to 18-0 (10 KOs) and completed the first defense of his WBC featherweight title. Palacios fell to 19-1-1 (10 KOs), suffering the first defeat of his professional career after going the full 12-round distance with the unbeaten champion