Carlisle boxer becomes national champion for sixth time

The Border City Amateur Boxing Club star came out on top yet again in the England National Youth Championships.

Carrigan, 16, won the youth under-71kg category in the finals at Rotherham’s Magna Science Adventure Centre.

The young Cumbrian first saw off Merseyside and Cheshire champion Lewis Robinson last Friday in the quarter-finals, claiming a third round stoppage win.

That saw Carrigan progress to a semi-final against East Midlands champion Hughie Doherty from the Frank Bruno Boxing Academy.

Another third-round stoppage win sent Carrigan into the final where he took on the highly-rated London champion Nathan Barrett, from Powerday Hooks ABC.

Sunday’s final saw Carrigan claim a unanimous victory to be crowned English champion.

John Joe Carrigan with his English title belt, alongside Border City ABC coaches Ian Archibald, left, and Dean Jopson (Image: Border City ABC)

“We’re very proud of John Joe's achievements,” said Border City ABC’s Ian Archibald.

“To box 3x3 rounds over three days, and in the year above category too, is a great achievement.

“He boxed exceptionally over the weekend.”

Carrigan, who also won the EUBC European junior title last year, will later this month head to Sheffield to bid for further England selection for the same championships in Croatia in April.

Another young Carlisle boxer also made good headway in the national youth championships.

Carlisle Villa ABC’s Jack Lindsay impressed by reaching the final of the under-67kg cadet category.

Jack Lindsay of Carlisle Villa ABC celebrates his semi-final victory in the national championships (Image: Carlisle Villa ABC)

Lindsay produced two excellent showings to get past the Midlands and Yorkshire champions in the last eight and last four respectively.

He narrowly lost out to three-time national champion Brad Smith from Bishop Auckland in Sunday’s final.