Massachusetts cruiserweight Vinnie Carita has enlisted a new trainer for the next chapter of his boxing career. The hard-hitting Carita of Pembroke, Massachusetts, is training with Jason Bailey. Carita's record is listed at 20-1-1 with 19 KOs but says he has three more KO wins that were omitted from his record. After completing his amateur career, which consisted of more than 100 fights and appearances in the Silver Gloves, Golden Gloves, and Junior Olympics, Carita turned pro in 2005 and hoped to have a very successful professional career. However, after going 4-1 in five bouts, Carita decided to finish college and enlist in the United States Army. After honorably serving his country, Carita also worked as a security contractor. But after seven years away from boxing, Carita decided that it was time to lace up the gloves again. He returned to the ring in August 2013 and made quick work of Brian Long, scoring a first-round knockout. He has remained undefeated throughout the second chapter of his pro career.
Carita has only been working with Bailey for a few weeks, but the two have quickly bonded, and are putting together a plan for their future. "I first reached out to Jason because he said on Facebook that he was looking to get back into training, and I have been without a trainer for the past five years," Carita said. "I have really been yearning for a possibility to be taught by some of the best in the world, and I've seen he has been in some of the best gyms in the world, and he has worked with a lot of different fighters."
Carita is not a household name, but says he wants the big fights. "I definitely want to make a title run," Carita said. "I've been in there with some gatekeepers of the division who've fought some world champions, so I'm looking forward to gauge where I can go from here in the next couple of fights.
After seriously injuring his knee and back three years ago, Bailey decided to become more selective with who he trains. "I wasn't going to waste time anymore with boxers who weren't serious about their careers," Bailey told FightNights.com. "I spent too much time trying to build up guys who weren't worthy and did not believe in themselves."
Then, he met Carita. "Vinnie contacted me while he was on vacation, and when we finally got to spend time together in the gym, I realized I had a truly focused professional and knew this was the guy. We click well. I'm excited for what's to come. He can [really] fight and is strong as hell." Bailey has trained with the likes of Luis Garcia Campoalegre, Glen Johnson, Pedro Diaz, Yan Barthelemy, and Yuriorkis Gamboa.
As for Carita, the passion for the sport has always been there for the 34-year-old. "When I was seven years old I started going to a kids' class and quickly developed a love for the sport," Carita said.
Carita is targeting WBO titleholder Maris Briedis, who is currently in the World Boxing Super Series. "I would love to fight Briedis," he added. "We already have a common opponent." That common opponent is Hungarian journeyman Laszlo Hubert (50-24-1, 34 KO's). Both fighters scored second-round knockout victories. sport has always been there for the 34-year-old. "When I was seven years old I started going to a kids' class and quickly developed a love for the sport," Carita said.
