Kentish Express Ashford & District
Spirited Carter puts up good show
Boxing
Logan Carter missed out on winning an England Schools title in Manchester on Sunday – beaten but not disgraced.
The Ashford ABC youngster, Kent and Southern Counties champion, lost out to local boy Matthew Knipe from Moss Side Fire Station ABC on a judges’ decision.
Carter was bidding to become only the second local fighter to win a national title, with the late Roy Dehara the last, 38 years ago.
He was forced to take a standing count of eight with seconds left but finished on the attack when the final bell sounded.
Carter had to be patient, waiting eight hours before stepping into the ring at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre at Old Trafford in an under-48kg match-up between the North and South champions, with Knipe looking to go one better than last year when he finished runner-up.
He started well and his slick switch- hitting style fazed Knipe, catching him with sharp right counter punches but the latter began to show why he was in another final, scoring with some of his own at the end of the opening round.
The second followed the same pattern with both boxers landing good shots, Carter keeping his man under pressure, while Knipe again countered sharply.
With all to play for in the last, it again proved tight, before Carter was penalised for low hands leading to the standing count.
Logan’s dad and Ashford coach Jamie was in his corner on the night, alongside head coach Dennis Jarvis and Andy Wilford.
They were all full of praise for his performance. Connections also thanked the supporters who made the long trip north to cheer him on.