“If I’m being honest, it looks like the way they’re planning it out is for me and Espinoza to meet at the end,” Carrington said to The Ring. “That’s what it looks like, for it to be like a big crescendo, me and him having this dream fight. I think that’s what they’re trying to set up, so I’m totally not mad at that.”
From a business standpoint, the strategy makes sense. Carrington holds the WBC featherweight title and represents one of Top Rank’s top American hopes. Espinoza owns the WBO belt and has become one of the division’s most entertaining champions.
The problem is that Espinoza has already ruined a similar plan once before.
Before running into Espinoza, Robeisy Ramirez appeared destined for stardom. The two-time Olympic gold medalist had captured the WBO featherweight title and looked poised to become one of Top Rank’s marquee attractions. Instead, Espinoza defeated Ramirez twice in grueling fights. The rematch ended with Ramirez suffering an eye injury that has kept him out of the ring for more than a year, and the Cuban is no longer with Top Rank.
Carrington, 17-0 (10 KOs), has also shown signs of vulnerability.
The 29-year-old Brooklyn native was staggered by Carlos Castro before rallying to score a ninth-round stoppage in January. Earlier in his career, Carrington escaped with a 10-round majority decision over Sulaiman Segawa in a fight many observers viewed as much closer than expected.
At 29, Carrington isn’t a young prospect with years to develop. If Top Rank believes he can beat Espinoza, there is an argument that the time to make the fight is sooner rather than later.
Espinoza, 28-0 (24 KOs), presents problems unlike anyone Carrington has faced. Standing 6-foot-1, the Mexican champion combines relentless pressure, high punch output, and proven durability. Those qualities helped him twice defeat Ramirez and transform the featherweight landscape.
Carrington is scheduled to make an optional defense against unbeaten Rene Palacios on July 4 in Cleveland. Espinoza currently does not have a fight lined up.
If both continue winning, the matchup Carrington referred to as a “dream fight” could eventually become one of the biggest bouts in the division. But Top Rank has already seen how dangerous Espinoza can be to carefully laid plans.
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