Islington BC’s Tyrone Negasi booked his place in the NABC national finals with a well-earned points victory over Harry Bryant (Trowbridge) on Sunday.

Negasi forced the pace in the opening round of the Class A Under-50kg semi-final clash at Newbury, but he encountered strong resistance and there was little to choose between the pair.

The Islington fighter built momentum in the second round, firing a series of body combinations that slowed down Bryant, who began to tire and was warned for holding.

In a bid to pull back the deficit, Bryant attempted to push Negasi back in the final round – but the Londoner held firm and regained the initiative to secure his success on a unanimous decision.

Negasi will now head to Tyne & Wear for the national finals on Thursday December 5 – but he will not be accompanied by Islington team-mate Ben Turner, who lost out in his semi-final against Patrick McDonagh (Walcot ABC).

McDonagh, a three-time national champion, quickly found his rhythm in the Class A Under-63kg semi-final and landed a number of combinations behind his southpaw stance.

Turner did his best to force the pace with combinations of his own in the second, but he was thwarted by his opponent’s awkward style.

The Islington fighter mounted a spirited effort, shading the final round, but it was not enough to prevent McDonagh from taking a unanimous decision.