Islington Boxing Club's Aziz Ben Rouha was crowned England Boxing National Development champion at the Spiceball Leisure Centre in Banbury.

Ben Rouha boxed four times to win the London U75kg title, then faced three more bouts in the national stages of the competition.

And he won his semi-final against Charlie Spendlove (Impact BA) on a 4-0 split decision, upping his work rate in the second and third rounds as his rival received a warning.

The middleweight faced Altair Gomes (Smokey’s) the next day, opting for a front foot approach and to get on the inside of his tall and rangy opponent.

Aziz didn’t stop working the whole time and was declared national champion via unanimous decision.

“He was one of the most active boxers throughout the whole championships and has a target on his head with upcoming and established boxers wanting to box him," said club spokesman Reggie Hagland.

"Aziz is due to box on our dinner show on November 11 at the Royal National Hotel, Russell Square which will be his first 3x3 and we’re hoping he has a couple more before Christmas to prepare for the London Intermediates and National Elite Championships.”

There was disappointment for cruiserweight Elliot Elimasi (U86kg), who lost his semi-final via a 4-1 split decision to Joe O’Brien (Billericay & Wickford).

He started brightly and won the opening round on the judges scorecards, but O’Brien came back strongly into the contest to level it up and, despite appearing to win the first half of the last round, the second half and finishing was from the Billericay & Wickford boxer who got the decision.

Elimasi is amongst a team of senior male boxers flying out to Sweden to compete in the King of the Ring Box Cup tournament with Connor Daly (U57kg, Class A), Jonny James (U71kgs, Class C), Christos Panteli (U67kg, Class C), Ethan Frost (U92kg, Class C), Joseph Burton (U60kg, Class B), James Riley (U81kg, Class C), Tyrese Ramsey (U71kg, Class B) and Tevin Thompson (U75kg, Class B).

Jem Campbell, a two-time Golden Girl champion, will also be travelling to compete in a round-robin with other female boxers from across Europe.