On 14 June 2008, De Carolis fought outside of his native Italy for the first time, travelling to Ukraine and suffering his first defeat against then-reigning IBF Youth middleweight champion Max Bursak, who stopped him in eight rounds.
Den 14. juni 2008 kæmpede for første gang De Carolis uden for sit hjemland Italien hvor han rejste til Ukraine og led sit første nederlag imod den regerende IBF ungdoms-mellemvægtmester Max Bursak, som stoppede ham i 8. omgang.