AMATEUR boxing county champion Adam Grigg came agonisingly close to booking his place in the 2013 ABAE Elite Championships Final on Saturday.

The 27-year-old from Salisbury put in a valiant effort against red-hot favourite Sam McNess (Repton) in the welterweight division (under 67kg) only to lose on a close majority decision and miss out on the chance of becoming a national champion, writes Joel Holt.

Grigg was representing Golden Ring Amateur Boxing Club (ABC), Southampton in the competition’s semi-final for the third time, and believes he had a fighting chance this year.

“Saturday was the biggest fight of my career so far,” he said. “It was a great scrap and I thought I’d done enough to pinch it. It couldn’t have been any closer.

“I put in a massive effort and was left gutted when I lost by a point. I was a massive underdog coming into the fight against Sam and I surprised a lot of people, but it was always going to be a tough task.

“I honestly thought it was going to be my turn this time round though.”

Grigg, who qualified for the competition after winning the Southern Counties Elite Championships regional finals in his category and went on to beat Oshane Clark in the quarter-finals, is weighing up whether he will enter the competition next season.

Grigg added: “I haven’t had much luck recently but I’ll certainly see what fights are out there next season.”

Away from the ring, Grigg uses the facilities at Salisbury City ABC and holds coaching sessions.