Commonwealth International title win ‘just the start’ says Northampton’s Ben Fail

Fail, nicknamed ‘Big Ben’, made it 11 wins out of 11 as a professional with a seventh-round stoppage of Chester's Mason Cartwright at the Vaillant Live Arena in Derby, meaning the 29-year-old secured the first title of his career.

Southpaw Fail was expecting a tough night against Cartwright, who has twice previously fought for the British title, but he outfought and outclassed the 33-year-old.

Referee Chris Dean stopped the fight midway through the seventh round, and Fail said: “We followed the game plan down to a tee and it worked.

"The fight went exactly as we wanted it to, and it went how we thought it would.

"You can't take anything away from Mason Cartwright, because he is a tough test, but I think I performed well and did what I had to do to win.”

Fail has joined brother Carl as a title holder, with the latter having won the Midlands Area super welterweight crown last year.

Ben has had to be patient for his chance to land a belt, but he has now got one over the line, and Fail is confident it won’t be the last.

"Cartwright is the toughest opponent I’ve had, but that was my most disciplined and best performance,” said the former Far Cotton amateur.

"We showed the level that we want to push on to now, and are going to. This is just the start and I think me and Carl have shown the levels we can fight at.”

Fail, who revealed he is going to celebrate his title success win by taking his mum Barbara away for a week in the sun, is full of admiration for Cartwright, but he believes he showed his quality with his performance.

"Mason Cartwright has always put up brilliant fights on the domestic scene, but I think I was levels above him,” said Fail.

"Mason put a post on Instagram saying that I am the best fighter he has ever fought, and now we are pushing on to bigger and better things.

"But full respect to him, I know he has retired now and I wish him all the best because he has had an amazing career."

With Far Cotton ABC coach John Daly in his corner, Fail was cheered on in Derby by a large travelling contingent from Northampton, as well as his sponsors, and he revealed: "It was amazing, and everybody was saying we had the best atmosphere there, and I felt it.

"I had all my sponsors there as well, so that was amazing. I am glad I could win for them, and for all the people who have supported us the whole way."

The former Far Cotton amateur also took to the ring in the colours of the Saints rugby team, and he spoke of his pride at carrying the flag for his home town.

"We are from Northampton, and we have the Saints and Cobblers, so we thought it was only right, and Carl did the same when he won his first title,” said Fail.

"It is a nice feeling that we can wear the Saints colours, and represent our home town, and anything positive coming out of Northampton should be spread.

"It is all about pushing positivity, and staying off the streets and getting kids into sport."