Fail fights through the pain to deliver convincing debut win

Ben Fail fought through the pain barrier to make a winning start to his professional boxing career in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Ben Fail was a winner on debut on Wednesday nightBen Fail was a winner on debut on Wednesday night
Ben Fail was a winner on debut on Wednesday night

The Wednesday night show started with the Northampton middleweight outpointing Robbie Chapman over six rounds.

He won every session – despite suffering a broken hand in the fourth round.

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“I was getting ready to up it,” said the 23 year old southpaw, “but my hand went and I had to stay in second gear.

“I never got to show third, fourth or fifth gear.

“I was gutted I couldn’t really let my hands go in the last few rounds. You could see that every time I landed my left hand in the closing rounds I would be dropping it because I was in agony.

“But I gritted my teeth and got through it.”

Fail had been out of the ring since bowing out of the Elite Championships at the semi-final stage last March.

But there were no signs of ring rust as he smoothly settled into the fight and took control.

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Chapman went back to his stool at the end of the third with his right eye cut and his nose bloodied, but ‘The Camden Caretaker’ toughed it out and threw punches back.

Fail said: “He was the perfect opponent.

“He kept coming forward trying to catch me out. He kept me honest. I knew I had to be on point or he would catch me. I knew I couldn’t just go in there and do what I want. He was a tough man and you could tell from his face afterwards that he had taken some good shots. One of his eyes was glued shut and the other had stitches.”

For the first time in his ring career, Fail didn’t have Far Cotton coach John Daly in his corner.

Daly had been with him throughout his 78-bout amateur career, but because of Covid-19 restrictions, Fail was only allowed one cornerman.

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Daly watched the fight on Sky Sports, and said: “I was so proud of the way Ben boxed – and the way he spoke afterwards.

“He didn’t even mention his hand injury, was polite about his opponent and even said (twin brother) Carl is better than him!

“(Former world champion) Barry Jones was saying in the commentary how well schooled Ben is and that’s so good to hear because he learned how to box at Far Cotton.”

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