World-renowned trainer Robert Garcia says he won’t be surprised by an upset tonight when WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason defends his belt against No. 6-ranked late replacement Albert Bell, nor will he be shocked if WBC featherweight champion Bruce “ShuShu” Carrington falls to ProBoxTV alumnus, Rene Palacios.
The youngest champion in boxing, Cleveland’s 22-year-old Mason, 20-0 (17 KOs), will headline the inaugural episode of TNT network’s new monthly series, “The Fight,” tonight by making the first defense of his belt against Toledo’s Bell, 28-0 (9 KOs), in all “All Ohio” battle at Cleveland State’s Wolstein Center. DAZN will also stream the action.
In the night’s co-featured bout, WBC featherweight champion Bruce “ShuShu” Carrington, 17-0 (10 KOs), will also make his first title defense against Mexico’s hard-hitting southpaw, unbeaten Rene Palacios, 19-0-1 (10 KOs).
“Abdullah Mason is a very talented fighter, so, I personally think that it was… I don’t want to say forced, because that’s not the word, but he was kind of pressured. He’s fighting at home. His brother is on the card and the whole city is waiting for the fight… and then his opponent falls off…”
Mason was originally scheduled to face the UK’s Joe Cordina, however, Cordina was denied a travel visa last week.
“Fighting at home and risking your title is very dangerous, especially when the main guy you were getting ready for falls off and they have to find a late replacement,” added Garcia. “Bell is a tall, awkward guy to fight.
As for Carrington, Garcia says he has no easier a task tonight against the unknown Palacios.
“‘Shu Shu’ is in a tough fight. This kid he is fighting (Palacios) is not just a walkover. He’s one of those kids who is coming to pull an upset. That’s his mentality. I know his manager and trainer and I know they’re in it to win.
‘Shu Shu’ is a very talented fighter and has all the skills, but when you have somebody that nobody knows and nobody really believes in, many times it’s happened with very good prospects who are world champions against somebody no one knows.”
While Garcia seems tempted to predict at least one big upset tonight, he tempers his response by saying. “I think they both (Mason and Carrington) come on for the win, but it won’t be easy. I wouldn’t be surprised if we do get an upset. If ‘Shu Shu’ and Mason both dominate convincingly and have no trouble, I’ll be more surprised because they’re both in tough fights.
“They should be fine. I would be very surprised, though, if both dominate connivingly. That would tell you they’re both going the right direction and are superstars. Honestly, it will not be easy, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see an upset in either fight. I would be more surprised if they both won easily.”
