Carrington edges Segawa in shocking Madison Square Garden battle
Poor Pay Day. Segawa was the busiest fighter of the two throughout with enterprising and industrious play and the Ugandan felt undone by the judges’ efforts on the night as he lost an MD to Bruce Carrington. PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
Sinking Feeling. Segawa’s grit and tactical prowess showcased in the Madison Square Garden thriller left many fans convinced he had done enough to win, but the judges had the final say, dashing Uganda’s hopes for a historic title upset.
USA. On Saturday morning, Ugandans across the globe, both in attendance and watching on TV, were left stunned as Sula "The Ruler" Segawa’s quest for a unified title ended in disappointment. Segawa lost to Bruce Carrington at Madison Square Garden, New York, in a controversial points decision.
Despite his valiant effort, Segawa fell short on the judges' scorecards, with results reading 97-93, 97-93, and 95-95 in Carrington's favor. The decision shocked many, particularly Ugandan fans who had hoped to see Segawa secure a second upset victory over a number-one-ranked boxer.
In July, Segawa achieved a unanimous decision win against WBC Silver featherweight champion Ruben Villa to claim the title. This time, he aimed to dethrone Carrington, the WBA’s top-ranked featherweight.
Game management
Though the result didn’t go his way, the 33-year-old Ugandan schooled the 27-year-old Carrington over 10 grueling rounds. Segawa’s fighting spirit and clean, effective boxing kept him competitive throughout the contest. He landed a stunning combination in the second round, forcing Carrington to rethink his strategy.
Every time Carrington threw punches, Segawa responded with precision, and by the halfway mark, Segawa (17-5-1) was leading on most viewers' scorecards. The typically aggressive Carrington was uncharacteristically reserved, and Segawa’s counters kept him at bay.
Finer details
As the fight progressed, it turned into a technical battle, with both fighters cautious to avoid mistakes. Segawa’s defensive prowess limited Carrington's attempts at body shots, and his ring awareness gave him a slight advantage up until the eighth round.
Carrington slightly upped his tempo in the final two rounds, but Segawa, believing he had done enough, managed the fight in cruise control. However, the judges’ decision shattered the Ugandan’s hopes of another upset victory.
They saw it all differently!
AT A GLANCE
Full Name: Sula Segawa
Nickname: The Ruler
Division: Feather
Record: 17 (6KO's) - 3 (1KO) - 2
Titles: WBC Silver lightweight, NBA featherweight champion, WBC USA featherweight champion
Bouts: 22 Rounds: 140
KOs: 30%:
Career: 2013-2024
Debut: 2013-04-21
Sex: Male
Age: 32
Nationality: Uganda
Stance: Southpaw
Height: 5′ 8″
Reach: 69″
Residence: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
