East London Boxing Academy’s Uzair Maqbool was crowned National champion after he claimed victory in the 46kg final in Banbury at the weekend.

The young fighter made it through to the National Junior and Senior Development championship final after stopping Aiden Terry in the first round of their semi-final in Swindon.

But in Banbury, Maqbool faced his toughest challenge yet as he locked horns with the more experienced Kai Owen from Parsons Green Boxing Club in Sheffield.

If Maqbool was nervous, then the East London Boxing Academy star certainly didn’t show it as he was crowned 46kg National champion after being handed the victory on points, having won each round during the bout.

Maqbool wasn’t the only East London fighter who made it through to the finals in Banbury, as Zeeshan Ali and club captain Jack Daly were also in action in their respective divisions.

Reigning London champion Ali’s road to the final wasn’t as straight forward as Maqbool’s, who was handed a bye straight through to the semi-final, with the talented East London youngster competing in every round of the tournament.

Having beaten Nyle French in the semi-finals, Ali would take on Jahiem Steadman from the One Nation Boxing Club in Derby in what proved to be a closely fought contest.

In the end, Ali fell just short meaning he had to be content with the runner-up spot.

But East London still had a chance of leaving the finals with two National titles to their name, with Jack Daly taking on the North of England champion Wycombe King in the senior cruiserweight division.

Daly booked his place in the final after a dominant display in Swindon the previous weekend, with the East London club captain forcing the referee to intervene in the second round during his clash with Levani Ditkoa.

However, the bout with King proved to be an evenly matched affair and despite finishing strongly, Daly was denied the title by the smallest of margins, a decision which mystified some sections of the crowd.

Despite Ali and Daly’s defeats, it still proved to be a positive weekend for the academy and East London head coach Umer Ali was delighted with the young fighter’s respective displays.

He said: “This has been an emotional championship with many ups and downs. I’m sure Jack and Zeeshan will come back stronger.

“Uzair has done very well having walked into the boxing club as an overweight teenager to become the national champion.”