Bruce Carrington vs Rene Palacios

This fight features a "strange connection" because both men recently faced Sulaiman Segawa. Carrington won a debated decision over Segawa in late 2024, while Palacios earned his title shot by defeating Segawa via split decision in January 2026.

Carrington is the sharper article for me. He has that educated amateur look, tidy feet, nice balance, eyes switched on, and he can punch without falling over his front knee. He can read a man, draw the mistake, then put something nasty on the whiskers. Palacios, being a southpaw, gives him a live route in, especially if he can keep Carrington turning and stop him from setting his right hand. But there is a big difference between being cute over ten rounds with Segawa and living under world-title pressure with a champion who can adjust mid-fight. Palacios has to stay disciplined, nick clean touches, and not get dragged into a proper tear-up before he has made Carrington think.

I am taking Carrington by stoppage. Palacios is unbeaten, awkward, and confident, so I do not expect him to fold early. He may even make Carrington look a bit untidy for a couple of rounds from the southpaw angle. But once Carrington starts timing the feet, stabbing the body, and bringing that right hand over the top, the fight should tilt one way.