East London Boxing Academy’s Uzair Maqbool became the first ever England Boxing fighter to become a two-division Southern England title belt champion on Saturday.

Maqbool was matched against the four-time national and tri-national champion Tariq Angus, from Dagenham, at the vacant title show at Norlington School, Leyton after stepping up 4kg to the next division to face his opponent.

Following a tight first round, Maqbool showed excellent fitness to outwork his opponent in the second and third stanzas and deservedly secure the belt and the Best Boxer award at the show.

Also proving to be dominant in their fight with a sharp display of skills with Zeeshan Ali, a previous national silver medallist, who won every round in his bout against his opponent from South London.

As well, Zain Ali won the London Junior Development title in the heavyweight division after securing a KO win against Cricklewood’s Jibran Okefe. At 6ft, Ali was the shorter of the two boxers, but forced two standing eight counts from the referee as he defeated his 105kg opponent.