Carter aims to kick on and learn from opening day Mainwaring loss

Irish Tommy Carter [0-1(0)] returns to the ring this Friday night at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester on a Kieran Farrell-promoted card.

The 21 year old Tideswell boxer has a refreshing attitude and isn’t interested in padding his record early doors.

A loss in his opening fight hasn’t dented the middleweight’s enthusiasm for the sport or his training – which now includes regular sparring with his debut defeater. Indeed the defeat has only served to motivate him further.

Carter made his debut during the Summer, losing a competitive points (37:40) decision to fellow prospect, and another ‘Wild Goose,’ Matty Mainwaring. While it was a disappointing result to begin a pro career with, Carter told Irish-Boxing.com that “I looked at the positives and made sure I prepared more adequately this time around.”

The boxer of immediate Drogheda descent has no regrets making the switch, and explained that “it felt strange been in there without the vest on. Other than that I felt at home and I felt comfy in there, a lot more than I have my last few amateur fights.”

“I had terrible performances against opponents I should have wiped the floor with in my last few amateur fights. That was playing on my mind a little but I just took to it like a duck to water I feel.”

Carter was highly complementary of his opening opponent, a former Irish underage international footballer, and plans to learn from the bout, describing how “Matty is a good kid, I have a lot of respect for him.”

“I overlooked him and that was stupid of me.”

“We have both sparred numerous times since, we get on and respect each other now. I feel we both leaned a lot from that fight.”

“Any person who overlooks him because of his experience are stupid. He’s talented, hard working and dedicated.”

Carter got straight back on the horse after the loss and now has numerous fights scheduled at home and on the road, but he had something of a nightmare decision to make last month. The novice pro was offered a chance to fight Matchroom starlet Felix Cash on the undercard of the Josh Warrington v Pajo Hyland card in Leeds.

A brilliant opportunity no doubt, the only problem was that the fight was on a Saturday and Carter was only informed on the Wednesday, leaving him little option but to turn down the fight. Irish Tommy reasoned that “I hadn’t long been back of holiday and in the first couple weeks of camp for this coming fight.”

“It would have been amazing to have that experience but it’s the sort of fight I would take with a four week camp, not three days notice.”

“I just wanted to concentrate on this coming Friday.”

On Friday he faces debutant Nick Golubs over four rounds, a late change of opponent, but Carter is not taking anything for granted this time round.

“I know that he’s had a bit of experience around the white collar scene but other than that I don’t know a great deal about the kid.”

“I only got him named as my opponent last Tuesday evening after Ben Heap pulled out. I have done my homework on what I could find.”

“I have sparred a lot more leading up to this fight and kept my weight down and fitness up, I feel great, and I’m starting to take shape.”