Bruce Carrington Stops Carlos Castro in Round 7 to Claim Vacant WBC Featherweight Title at Madison Square Garden

The historic Madison Square Garden erupted in a wave of cheers and gasps on January 31, 2026, as undefeated prospect Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington captured the vacant WBC featherweight world title with a seventh-round TKO over veteran Carlos Castro. Carrington’s explosive power and relentless aggression overwhelmed the durable Castro, dropping him twice before the referee halted the action at 1:52 of Round 7. Part of the star-studded “The Ring 6” card broadcast on DAZN PPV, the fight lit up X with reactions like, “Shu Shu is the real deal—featherweight has a new king! #CarringtonCastro #MSG.” The 18,000+ crowd, already buzzing from the night’s main and co-main events, turned the undercard title fight into a showcase moment for the rising American star.

Fight Overview

Date: January 31, 2026 Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York Start Time: Ring walks approximately 8:45 PM ET (early main card slot) Stakes: Vacant WBC Featherweight World Title—Carrington’s first world championship opportunity after a dominant pro run; Castro’s bid for a second title reign. Odds: Carrington heavy favorite at -800, Castro at +550, reflecting Shu Shu’s youth, power, and momentum against the 36-year-old veteran’s experience. X Buzz Quote: “Bruce Carrington looking sharp in final presser—featherweight gold on the line tomorrow! #ShuShu #WBC” — from pre-fight hype posts. Crowd Size and Atmosphere: Over 18,000 fans in full voice, with heavy support for the Long Island native Carrington amid the card’s New York pride. Poll Lean: Pre-fight X polls overwhelmingly favored Carrington (80-20), with fans citing his knockout streak and Castro’s age/layoff concerns.

Bruce Carrington Age: 27 Origin: Long Island, New York, USA Record: 14-0 (10 KOs) Stance: Orthodox Height/Reach: 5’7″ / 68″ Key Stats: High knockout ratio (71%), lands 6.2 punches per round at 44% accuracy; explosive combination puncher. Recent Form: Perfect pro record with back-to-back stoppages in 2025, including a dominant TKO over a ranked contender; fast-rising prospect with elite amateur background. Training/X Clips: Camp footage on X showed devastating body shots and head movement drills: “Gold is coming home to NY—let’s go! #ShuShu.” Notable Trait: Dynamic, high-volume power puncher with sharp timing and finishing instinct in the mid-rounds. Quote/Tweet: “This belt is mine—worked my whole life for this moment. Thanks to the fans!”

Carlos Castro Age: 36 Origin: Phoenix, Arizona, USA (Mexican descent) Record: 33-3 (17 KOs) Stance: Orthodox Height/Reach: 5’6″ / 67″ Key Stats: Durable veteran with solid chin; averages 4.5 landed punches per round at 38% accuracy. Recent Form: Rebounded from 2024 loss with two wins in 2025, but coming off a 14-month layoff; former world title challenger seeking redemption. Training/X Clips: Veteran mitt work and bag sessions: “Experience over hype—ready to shock the world again.” Notable Trait: Tough, come-forward fighter with good power and ring IQ, known for durability against bigger punchers. Quote/Tweet: “Respect to Bruce—he’s special. I’ll be back; age is just a number.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Rounds 1-2: Carrington came out fast, using his speed to land crisp combinations while Castro pressured behind a high guard, landing a few thudding body shots. Shu Shu’s jab controlled distance early. CompuBox: Carrington 18/42 (43%), Castro 12/35 (34%). Scoring: 10-9 Carrington both rounds.

Rounds 3-4: Action intensified—Castro backed Carrington up in Round 3 with heavy shots, but Shu Shu responded with sharp counters and a big right that wobbled the veteran late in Round 4. CompuBox (combined): Carrington 32/85 (38%), Castro 25/70 (36%). Scoring: 10-9 Carrington (Rd 3), 10-9 Castro (Rd 4).

Rounds 5-6: Carrington found his rhythm, targeting the body relentlessly to slow Castro. Round 6 saw a big left hook drop Castro for the first time; he rose at 8 but looked shaken. CompuBox (combined): Carrington 45/115 (39%), Castro 28/80 (35%). Scoring: 10-9 Carrington both.

Round 7: Carrington pounced early, landing a vicious right uppercut that sent Castro down again. The veteran beat the count but was unsteady; a follow-up flurry prompted the stoppage at 1:52. CompuBox (Rd 7 partial): Carrington dominant in power shots.

Key Moments and Impact

• Carrington’s Body Attack: Consistent midsection work sapped Castro’s energy, setting up the late knockdowns and showcasing Shu Shu’s maturing game plan.
• Castro’s Veteran Heart: The 36-year-old absorbed heavy punishment and fought back valiantly, earning respect despite the stoppage.
• Fan/Media Reaction: X exploded with “new star alert” posts for Carrington; media hailed it as a “changing of the guard” in featherweight.
• No Major Injuries: Clean stoppage, though Castro showed facial swelling post-fight.

Post-Fight Analysis and Implications

Carrington celebrated ringside: “This is for New York—I’m here to stay!” eyeing unification or big names like Naoya Inoue crossovers or top 126 contenders. Purse favored the new champ, with WBC bonuses for the KO. Castro, classy, said, “He’s the future—I’ll keep going.” Featherweight gains a dynamic new champion, heating up a division with emerging talent.

Event Context and New York Atmosphere

Part of the massive “The Ring 6” card: main event Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson, co-main Keyshawn Davis vs Jamaine Ortiz, plus Carlos Adames retaining WBC middleweight title. MSG fight week was electric, with DAZN PPV numbers soaring on the stacked lineup.

What’s Next?

For Carrington: Likely mandatory defense or unification vs. WBA/WBO champs (e.g., Brandon Figueroa, Rey Vargas rematch push). For Castro: Likely ranked comeback fight, aiming for one more title run.

On January 31, 2026, Bruce Carrington etched his name in featherweight history, stopping Carlos Castro in Round 7 to claim the vacant WBC title at Madison Square Garden. A dominant, explosive performance announced a new force at 126 pounds, thrilling fans and reshaping the division’s future.