Islington BC’s Tyrone Negasi will box for a London title on Friday after storming past Gary Hearn (Earlsfield) in the England Youth Championships.

Negasi – who was a national runner-up in the NABC tournament only last month – will become the Class A Under-52kg London champion if he wins the final at The Coronet, Elephant & Castle.

Despite a slow start, the Islington fighter overcame Frankie Barrett (Hooks ABC) in the North West London divisional final to set up his clash with Hearn at the TA Centre, Grove Park.

Although his opponent looked comfortable at distance, Negasi was in control throughout and outboxed him at short to medium range to take a unanimous decision.

However, Negasi will be flying the Islington flag solo after clubmate Ben Turner was eliminated by Danny Barrett (Hooks) in the North West London Class A Under-64kg final.

Southpaw Barrett picked his shots well early on and, although Turner later found his rhythm, landing blows to head and body, it was the Hooks boxer who gained a unanimous verdict.

Islington BC junior trio Alfie Andrews, Malachi Borrell and Safi Abdul were all victorious on the Windrush Valley ABC show in Oxfordshire.

Andrews stepped up the pace after a slow start to gain revenge for a previous loss to C Elmars (Bracknell ABC), with his accurate jab and straight backhand earning him a unanimous points decision.

Borrell stopped the home club’s H Connors midway through the second round, after a series of devastating hooks to the body left the referee with no choice but to intervene.

The third Islington winner was Safi Abdul, who edged a unanimous decision against Windrush Valley’s T Connors over three two-minute rounds, using his jab, backhand and combinations to good effect.

Islington’s Paddy McCarthy put in a spirited performance but lost a unanimous decision to H Mehmood (Strike 06 ABC), who displayed the better mobility and scored well with mid-distance straight punches.

On the same show, 10-year-old Christopher Ward impressed in his second skills bout against T Delaney (Far Cotton ABC).

n Islington BC are staging an open show next month at the Boston Dome, Tufnell Park, as part of the club’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Tickets for the show, which takes place on Thursday February 6, are now on sale. Advance prices are £10 for adults and £5 for under-16s (£15 and £10 respectively on the night).

Programme advertisement and sponsorship packages are available. Contact Mick Doherty on 07921 724 601 or email ibcmc@hotmail.com for further information.