Rising East London Academy boxing star Roman Haidari was crowned National Schoolboy Champion after winning the Under-60kg final in Liverpool last Sunday.

Haidari beat off the challenge of fellow England fighter Tomas Hessin from Melton Mowbray ABC to secure a unanimous decision with judges.

Both boys started fast but it was Haidari who took control of the pace and started letting his hands go, landing a number of powerful combinations in the first round.

As the fight progressed, Haidari minimised his opponent’s space in the ring and started to pin Hessin to the ropes and catch him with clean shots.

Going into the final round, it was clear the East London Academy man was ahead on points, so Haidari was able to box more off the back foot, countering Hessin as he rushed forward in search of a way back into the contest.

The victory was confirmed by all five judges, meaning Haidari has now won the national title twice in succession, having emerged victorious in a lower weight category last year.

The schoolboy champ is now looking forward to boxing for England in the tri-nations boxing championships to be held in Scotland at the end of April.