Teenage Carlisle boxer set for U19 World Championships

The 17-year-old Cumbrian is representing England in the Under-19 World Boxing Championships in the USA.

Carrigan, from Border City Amateur Boxing Club, flew out to Colorado earlier this week and is preparing for his first bout this weekend.

The teenager is hoping to add a world title to the string of European and domestic belts he has already won.

The event in America is the biggest challenge and opportunity yet for the Cumbrian rising star.

Carrigan says he can’t wait to showcase his skills on the world stage.

“I feel in the best shape of my life,” he told the News & Star.

“To win would mean everything.”

Carrigan, earlier this year, won the EUBC Youth Championship under-71kg title in Croatia – his second European championship.

He is also a multiple national champion while Carrigan has also shone at a number of Box Cups both in the UK and overseas.

The confident Carlisle boxer has been developing under the eye of England’s national coaches and is aiming to build on his progress with more success.

“I’ve been doing everything I can to be as ready as I can be,” he said. “I never stop training anyway, really.

“I can’t complain about the year I’ve had so far. I’ve won everything I’ve entered – the nationals, the Europeans, won the biggest box cup in the world and was named best boxer of the tournament, at Haringey.

“A gold medal in Colorado would be nice, wouldn’t it?”

Carrigan has impressed at Border City ABC since joining the club aged six, and is the club’s leading light.

He is believed to be the first amateur boxer from these parts to be competing on such a stage.

“It feels good, but I work for it – I don’t wait for it to come, I'll go and get it,” added Carrigan, from Todhills, who will be competing in the 70kg category.

Carrigan, from Todhills, will take on opponents from across the world in Colorado (Image: News & Star)

Competing in Colorado will bring certain challenges but it will also be a platform for Carrigan to showcase his potential.

“It’s at high altitude, up in the mountains,” he said. “We’ve been doing altitude testing in the England camp.

“It’s a lot harder. Your throat goes all dry and, while you don’t feel that much different when you get in, a couple of rounds deep and it’s different.

“I could be fighting lads who are used to that. I’m going into their back garden.

“It’s another stepping stone. Winning this would get my name out there, get more people looking at me.”

Carrigan’s ultimate goal is to become a senior world champion and says he is proud to represent Border City on the big stage, while he has also developed a great deal during his time in the England set-up.

“I've been all over the world, to places I've never been in my life,” he said.

“It’s good crack down there with England. You meet some of your best pals, and you’re always sparring different people from different countries.

“You’re always learning something, and there are top-level coaches, teaching you stuff you just don’t know.

“I've added a lot since my last fight, to be honest. I’ve been sparring pros, with men, and doing well with men.”

Border City ABC coach Ian Archibald says Carrigan’s achievements so far are testament to his work ethic.

“He’s worked for it since he was six. He’s worked and worked and worked. And if you work, you’re going to get it.

“When he first came here at six he couldn’t even run around the block. He’s pretty much training full-time now – and he’s a superstar at the club.

“All the other young boxers look up to him, and that’s who they want to be now.”

The Under-19 World Boxing Championships at the Pueblo Convention Centre, Colorado run from October 25 to November 5.