There was disappointment for Grantham Amateur Boxing Club’s light-middleweight shining light at Manchester last Sunday.
Contesting the quarter-finals of the English Novice Class B Championships, Nathan Wallace came up against army boxer Thomas Barry.
Private Barry was a tall, rangy exponent but Nathan held him fairly well in the opening couple of rounds.
Having only previously lost one contest, Barry’s experience started to show and a shot to the ribs knocked the wind out of Nathan in the third round of the bout.
Grantham ABC head coach Dean Fardell advised Nathan to go for the big shot in the final round and he caught Barry with some good punches. But Barry was just too sharp and eventually booked his place in the semi-finals on a unanimous points decision.
Dean said that his charge had done remarkably well and certainly had not disgraced himself: “The future is still bright for the old boy, although he was a bit downhearted.
“But he picked up three titles on the way. The highlight was beating [Carl] Wiggins, that was sweet revenge.
“It would have been nice to get to the final, but we are very, very proud of him.”