Often in boxing it can be easy to get caught up in the hype of a prospect before they prove anything. We try not to but often we get drawn in. It's happened with us all, fighters like James Kirkland, Francisco Bojado and Danny Jacobs have promised the world then failed to deliver. It seems like all of Nicaragua is hoping that Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago will turn out to be much more than just hype.
Born in Mangua in December 1991 Buitrago would take up boxing as a young child and was trained early on by Nicaraguan icon Alexis Arguello. In fact Buitrago would be trained by Arguello until the great man's death just a few short years ago. After a reported 165-7, (48) amateur record Buitrago would turn professional and when he was just 16 years old he would make his debut under the Boxeo Prodesa of Nicaragua promotional team.
Buitrago's debut, a 4 round decision victory over fellow debutant Oscar Lopez occurred in May 2008 and by the end of the year Buitrago had built up a record of 8-0 (6). Both Lopez and Ernesto Castillo, his first 2 opponents had managed to survive the 4 round distance before being stopped in rematches as Buitrago would progress nicely at the early stages of his professional career. The following year would see Buitrago building further on his career and record and by the end of 2009 he had amassed an excellent ledger of 13-0 (10). The most impressive thing though, was that Buitrago had shown more than just the skills but also the heart of a fighter having been dropped for the first time in his career before rallying back and stopping Edgar Jimenez. It was the fight with Jimenez that saw some really start to pay attention as Buitrago won his first title, the WBO Youth Minimumweight title.
Born in Mangua in December 1991 Buitrago would take up boxing as a young child and was trained early on by Nicaraguan icon Alexis Arguello. In fact Buitrago would be trained by Arguello until the great man's death just a few short years ago. After a reported 165-7, (48) amateur record Buitrago would turn professional and when he was just 16 years old he would make his debut under the Boxeo Prodesa of Nicaragua promotional team.
Buitrago's debut, a 4 round decision victory over fellow debutant Oscar Lopez occurred in May 2008 and by the end of the year Buitrago had built up a record of 8-0 (6). Both Lopez and Ernesto Castillo, his first 2 opponents had managed to survive the 4 round distance before being stopped in rematches as Buitrago would progress nicely at the early stages of his professional career. The following year would see Buitrago building further on his career and record and by the end of 2009 he had amassed an excellent ledger of 13-0 (10). The most impressive thing though, was that Buitrago had shown more than just the skills but also the heart of a fighter having been dropped for the first time in his career before rallying back and stopping Edgar Jimenez. It was the fight with Jimenez that saw some really start to pay attention as Buitrago won his first title, the WBO Youth Minimumweight title.
Buitrago had just turned 18 and won his first title though was already being compared to stable mate Roman Gonzalez, a fighter who was at the time a world champion. He was being lauded over due to his handspeed, jab, and what seemed like natural born skill. He was rising up the computer ranking systems and yet it was 2010 that really saw him rising through the general rankings. He would add 4 more wins in 2010 and be pushed into longer fights, he was forced to go 8 rounds and soon afterwards 9 rounds. During 2010 he would add to his title collection by winning the WBA Fedecentro Minimumweight title, this title helping him gain a world ranking with the WBA. It was whilst defending this title that he would also suffer his first “set back”, a 2 round no contest after a clash of heads with Eddy Castro.
Buitrago has fought just once in 2011 stopping Eddy Castro in 2 rounds to undo-the dirty mark on his record and move to 18-0-0-1 (13). Though perhaps more telling than his record and trinkets are the views of the men he has been sparring with. Both Roman Gonzalez (WBA Light Flyweight and former Minimumweight champion) and Juan Palacios (WBA interim Minimumweight champion) have sparred with Buitrago and said that he's improving, Gonzalez jokingly saying he's moving up a weight before Buitrago beats him up. Sparring with these sorts of top fighters will only see Buitrago improving and with Prodesa behind him he'll almost certainly be moved towards a world title fight in the next few years.
Although only 19 years old Buitrago is ranked extremely highly by all the organisations. He is the WBO #2 , WBA #8, IBF #15 and WBC #22 ranked fighter at Minimumweight. Although the WBO have rated him a little bit too highly the IBF and WBC seem pretty fair, he's around the top 20 in the world and given another few years he should be in and around the title holders on merit, not just the hype that some have given him. The supremely talented fighter who has a technical style with fast hands and movement had started to give his more experienced sparring partners difficulties and yet is still a kid. As he grows the power will come and although questions do still remain over his chin and stamina they are likely to be answered when he steps up. For now though he's one of boxing's true prospects and a fighter we should all keep an eye on.
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