AMATEURS
Carl Fail takes a key step to determine his future, writes Matt Bozeat
GB’S Carl Fail is on the move in order to chase his Olympic Games dream
CARL FAIL has moved up to middleweight to boost his Olympic chances.
At welterweight, his route to Tokyo was blocked by Pat Mccormack. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist looks to be a shoo-in for the qualifying events – and that’s led Fail to have a rethink.
By his own admission, the 21-year-old from Far Cotton ABC in Northampton struggles to squeeze his 6ft 2ins frame down to 69kgs, but he said, “It was all about opportunities. Pat has been there and done it. He’s a top international and deserved to be number one. It was always going to be a tough ask to overtake him, but now Ben Whittaker has moved up to lightheavyweight and John Docherty has turned pro, middleweight has really opened up.
“I went to see Rob [Mccracken, GB performance director] and asked his opinion on me moving up to 75kgs. He said he had been thinking about it for a few months and that with my ability, I should be aiming for the Olympics.
“I’m hoping to be sent to the majors and there’s no reason why I can’t get to the Olympics.”
Fail has had an up-and-down time since making his breakthrough in 2016, earning a place in the Great Britain set up by winning the Elites, Tri Nations and Great Britain championships.
He was then sidelined for much of last year. He broke a finger on his right hand, underwent eye surgery and had a hip injury.
Fail made a stunning return to action at the European under-22 championships in Bulgaria in April. He won silver and it really should have been gold. He has also made his World Boxing Series debut recently, schooling Kevin Bergotal, of the France Fighting Roosters and then showing bravery in defeat to Aslanbek Shymbergenov, of the Kazakhstan Astana Arlans.
“That was five tough rounds,” he said of the Shymbergenov fight in the semi finals, “and I proved I’ve got a chin. I gave it everything and I loved being in there with a worldclass fighter.”
The move up to middleweight is bad news for Fail’s twin brother Ben, beaten in this year’s Elite final by Jordan Reynolds.
“I really didn’t want to step on Ben’s toes,” said Fail, “but it would be crazy not to make the move because it’s my brother’s weight. “I had to do what’s best for me. “Ben is gutted because it makes it harder for him to get into the Great Britain squad, but he’s behind me all the way.”