How Ring Magazine’s POTY Bruce Carrington Rose to Boxing Fame From Traumatic Streets of Brownsville

Here’s a rather new name in the sport of boxing – Bruce Carrington! And his story, like so many others, is marred with violence and how he was able to elevate himself above it all! The 26-year-old boxing prospect last appeared in the ring against Bernard Angelo Torres last night. He managed to pull off a 4th round knockout win, displaying fantastic boxing skills.

Before the spectacular victory on the main part of an ESPN card headlined by WBC junior lightweight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova, Carrington was named The Ring’s Prospect of the Year for 2023. And much like his boxing peers – Mike Tyson, Zab Judah, and Shannon Briggs, he transcended the Brownville, Brooklyn neighborhood to become one of boxing’s most promising prospects. Here’s Carrington’s journey to the ring!

Bruce Carrington: From avoiding gang activity to representing Brownsville

Born and raised in Brownville, Brooklyn, a neighborhood notorious for its challenges revolving around gang violence, Carrington grew accustomed to it in his early years. “Growing up in Brownsville, it was rough. I will say that for the most part, my parents did a good job of keeping me out of trouble,” Carrington told The New York Post in December 2023. He was talking about the violence in the neighborhood, claiming, “because out there it’s big.” Despite his parents’ strict supervision, “Shu Shu” Carrington suggested some things even they could not help him avoid. “I remember the first time I saw someone get killed in front of my eyes. I was probably five, six years old,” said the Brooklyn native. 

The harrowing experience left him traumatized beyond belief, to the point where he used to get recurring nightmares about the incident. However, as the days went by, living in the area, Carrington stated, “I just started seeing stuff like that over and over, you kind of get desensitized to it after a while, where it’s like ‘it’s just another Tuesday.’”

His life in the rough neighborhood had, in a way, scarred him or his entire life, but at the same time, made him even stronger. “I will say that it changed me a lot. In terms of my mentality,” said Carrington. However, he always had a support system throughout his early years – his brother, Michael Hayden. 

“If I was ever to lose self-motivation, I would have that motivation of just pushing because he wanted me to push. My brother was my best friend. I wear his name on my towel, or my shorts, or my gloves. He’s with me everywhere I go. He’s on my mind,” said Carrington. However, tragedy struck when Hayden became the victim of gang violence in the neighborhood. He was shot and killed in 2014. 

It affected Carrington severely, and he started taking life a lot more seriously. But, at the time of his brother’s passing, Carrington was heading downhill in his boxing career. “I didn’t have as much confidence as I have right now. The belief in myself, the dedication, it wasn’t there,” said Carrington. Losing Hayden made him realize that life was extremely fragile and that things could take a turn for the worse at a moment’s notice.  

Also Read: Bruce Carrington Gives Fierce Response to Naoya Inoue’s Bold Take Against American Boxers

Reflecting on his boxing career and his achievements in it, Bruce Carrington felt the sport was definitely his safe haven in life. “I wouldn’t say that I would’ve probably been in a gang if I wasn’t boxing, but I probably would’ve been interested in some other things,” said the 11-0 boxer. What’s more, boxing, in a way, made him who he is today!

According to Carrington, the sport helped him develop an independent mentality at a young age. After all, he had started his journey in the sport at the tender age of seven. “At that young age, I realized that you can’t blame anybody for your mishaps. You can’t make excuses for something that didn’t go your way. It’s all on you. If something doesn’t go your way, you gotta find another way. I learned all of that through boxing,” said Carrington. 

At last, turning to where he came out of, like the legends before him, Carrington believes, “They’re really just craving someone to put Brownsville in a good light because there’s a lot of great things that come out of Brownsville.” As much as violence permeated his neighborhood, Carrington suggests that there are a lot of great things and great people there. So, “I’m just trying to be one of those people that can break that threshold,” stated Carrington. 

Carrington’s story was never about making a name for himself in the sport of boxing after rising from the violence-filled neighborhood of Brownsville. Rather, it was a testament to his resilience, determination, and overcoming overwhelming odds in his personal life. And how boxing was but a side effect of his brilliance and struggles. Today – Bruce Carrington holds some regional titles, but tomorrow, he is destined to become a champion. What do you think of his journey? 

Also Read: Ring Magazine Prospect Of The Year Believes Ryan Garcia Has To “Prove Himself” Against Devin Haney