By GRACE MAIORANO
You could call him the real-life Rocky.
But, unlike Balboa, this TKO Italian triumph has his roots in South Philly.
For the past few years, 22-year-old bantamweight Christian Carto, who balances punches in the ring with courses at Rowan College at Gloucester County, has risen the ranks of local boxing rings, collecting a professional record of 17–0 with 11 by knockouts. Claiming victory in every single one of his pro fights since 2016, Carto, who descends from a lineage of professionals in the game, proves himself as one of the most unparalleled boxers to surface from South Philly in recent years.
On Feb. 8, the undefeated prospect will face off on his own turf as he braves Mexican southpaw Victor Ruiz at 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St. in Philadelphia.
Deemed as the “Philly Special” by local boxing promotion Raging Babe, Carto recently stopped by Chick’s bar and grill, 1807 Washington Ave., where he discussed the upcoming match alongside his dream team, including hall of fame boxing promoter J. Russell Peltz, manager and brother Frankie Carto Jr., lead trainer Billy Briscoe and Raging Babe CEO Michelle Rosado.
“I knew coming into Philly doing my own promotion, I had to bring my ‘A’ game,” Rosado said. “And I only wanted to do it if it was going to be really special. And, I do think that Christian is the Philly Special….I have a lot of faith in him. I think he’s going to go really far. And, it made sense for us to work together to open up the Philly boxing scene in 2019 together to make a big splash in South Philly.”
Growing up, Carto caught the pro boxing bug from his two great-uncles and grandfather, Frankie Carto, who matched up against world champions and even fought once at Madison Square Garden in the lighter weight divisions during the 1930s and 1940s.
However, Christian Carto not only has his family’s name to carry, but the legacy of South Philly Italian boxing, as the young athlete draws parallels to the revered mid-1960s world middleweight champion Joey Giardello, who resided in the East Passyunk Crossing neighborhood.
Carto has even been compared to the lineal and World Boxing Association bantamweight champion “Joltin’ ” Jeff Chandler of the 1980s, Chandler was the last world champion to call South Philly home.
In the eyes of the local boxing community, Carto shows promise to resurrect the presence and popularity of the sport in Philadelphia.
“Philly boxing has to get out of the warehouses and catering halls and back into the big arenas,” Peltz said. “And that’s where Christian Carto’s strength is. And I know it’s a lot to put on his shoulders, but I really believe he can do that.”
As far as Carto handling this kind of pressure?
He says doesn’t think about it too often.
“I’m just hoping to leave my mark as a real good fighter in the bantamweight division from Philly,” he said.
For now, though, Carto is pouring his practice into February’s “Philly Special” card. The 28-year-old Ruiz is considered a veteran of the super flyweight division. In 2015, the southpaw defeated International Boxing Federation world super flyweight champion Daiki Kameda from Japan.
Coupled with this challenge, Carto’s coming back from a recent streak of no knockouts.
Every day, Carto has been vigorously training with Briscoe, working on movements, techniques and punches to counter the swings of a southpaw.
“I always want to get a knockout, because that’s what the fans want to see…this fight, I’m gonna box,” Carto said. “I’m gonna break him down and then, if the knockout comes, it comes. If it doesn’t, then I go to the next fight.”
But, Briscoe says, knockout or not, Carto’s certain zeal gives him a natural advantage.
“You could be the most talented individual in the game,” Briscoe said. “But if you ain’t got the passion to dedicate yourself to this craft, you’re not gonna go far. And obviously, as we all know, (Carto) is one of the most dedicated fighters I’ve ever worked with.”
Win, lose or draw, the college student will pour all of his hits and all of his heart into the eight-round event, striving to make South Philly proud.
“You can expect a good exciting fight from me come Feb. 8,” Carto said.
Info: Tickets are priced $50, $75 and $125. They can be purchased online at www.2300arena.comor by calling (215) 765–0922.
