Things are normally crystal clear in the sport of boxing. Automatically, a division belt holder is viewed as essentially the best, or at least one of the best, fighters in said weight class.

That seems pretty easy, right? To some, that answer would be yes but if you asked Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, he would tell you otherwise.

“I am the best featherweight,” said Carrington to a group of reporters.

There’s nothing wrong with confidence. Actually, considering his profession, Carrington needs it. But his claim to being the best fighter in his respective division comes without the backing of any hardware.

This past weekend at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, Nevada, all eyes were on Carrington. He talks a good game but actually going out there and proving it against Enrique Vivas, a tough and hard-nosed Mexican who was as sturdy as they come? From the outside looking in, it screamed tough night at the office. Yet, once the opening bell rang, Vivas barely put up a fight.

Some would point to Vivas’ recent inactive stretch but others point to Carrington and give him full credit for becoming the first fighter to stop his man.

Once he got him out of there, Carrington (15-0, 9 KOs) continued to call himself the best 126-pounder in the world. Ultimately, talk is cheap. In order to legitimatize himself, the 27-year-old will need to get into the ring with either Stephen Fulton, Rafael Espinoza, Nick Ball, or Stephen Fulton.

Carrington though, isn’t exactly the number one name on their mind. But while he knows it will take a bit more politicking and filibustering before he gets what he wants, he’s of the belief that eventually, he’ll get the shot he’s looking for. Once he does, it’s all about taking advantage of it.