BOXING: Fail looks to boost his Olympic bid

FOUR female boxers from Northampton fought last weekend

The 19-year-old southpaw meets Connor Loftus in Sheffield on Thursday, December 8.

Fail describes the fight as “a big opportunity” as he looks to prove he’s No 1 in Britain at 69kg.

Birtley Boys southpaw Cyrus Pattinson is currently No 1, ahead of Loftus and Fail.

Fail is highly ranked after winning the Elite championship in May – and has spelled out the importance of the clash with Loftus at the English Institute of Sport.

Loftus won the Elite title last year and Fail said: “Winning this fight will put me in good stead for the big tournaments that are coming up.

“The Great Britain coaches are looking to find fighters for world and European championships and the next Olympics.

“Even though I won the Elites, I think people still underestimate me and this is a chance to show what I can do.

“This is a big opportunity for me.”

Fail, sponsored by Crystal Electronics, knows what he’s up against in Sheffield.

“We’ve sparred lots of rounds,” he said, “and it’s always competitive.

“Connor is a compact, strong, come-forward fighter, but at welterweight, they all are.

“There aren’t many welterweights my size out there.

“I’m tall for the weight. I have all the advantages. I have to go out there and box to my strengths.”

Twin brother Ben has also been in Sheffield, sparring highly-rated Scot John Docherty, a silver medallist at last year’s European Youth championships.

Carl said: “They had a really good spar.

“I think the coaches were impressed with Ben. He’s just as good as me and I hope he gets his chance with England.”

Fail will be hard to ignore if he wins the NABC championships.

He meets Levi Chandler (Bell Green) in the Midlands final in Coventry on Sunday when club-mates Connor Downs and Arron Fail also box.

Four Women’s Boxing Northampton fought at Birmingham Irish Centre last Sunday.

Northampton’s Laura Watkins was a comfortable winner, via TKO, while Hannah Gausden also emerged victorious, but Alina Lawrenson was beaten.

Sarah Coleman also lost as she was defeated on points.