Jermaine Dhliwayo holds up a QPR shirt at the O2 Arena in tribute to clubmate Sherif Lawal

IT was an emotional night at the O2 Arena on Saturday as Jermaine Dhliwayo made a winning debut in the professional ranks after outscoring the experienced Engel Gomez over four rounds.

It was everything that the former St Pancras ABC boxer had dreamed of since he was a kid. The talented 22-year-old featherweight opened what proved to be an enthralling night of boxing, while his uncle, British heavyweight Derek Chisora, closed the show in colossal fashion as he outpointed rival Joe Joyce.

It was a real family affair as both men dominated their opponents, with Dhliwayo winning every round as he gained a 42-36 points victory, while Chisora was awarded a unanimous decision off the judges with scores of 96-94, 96-94 and 97-92.

But the night was also about his St Pancras ABC family, with Dhliwayo entering and leaving the ring in a QPR shirt with “Almighty SL 29” emblazoned across the back of it in memory of his former clubmate Sherif Lawal. The 29-year-old tragically died after he was knocked out during his first professional bout in May.

“Jermaine entered the ring with so much on his shoulders,” explained Saints head coach CJ Hussein, who, as always, was manning Dhliwayo’s corner.

“Making your professional debut is difficult enough, but Jermaine also had the added pressure of everybody knowing who he was, that he was Derek’s nephew. He knew that everybody would be watching him closely, that they would all want to see what he was made of.

“On top of that, it was the first time that any of us had been back in that environment since we lost Sherif. It was the first time that we’d been back in a dressing room before a fight, and then making the ring walk – everything reminded us of that night.

“Sherif was like Jermaine’s big brother, always giving him advice. They were always hanging out together. I didn’t know that Jermaine was coming into the ring in the QPR shirt, it was a special touch.

“To be able to handle all of that, and perform the way that he did was phenomenal. Jermaine excelled: he showed tremendous maturity, was as fit as a fiddle, listened to what he was being told and delivered. I’m so impressed.”

CJ, who has now worked the corner for both Dhliwayo and Hampstead warhorse Chisora, added: “It’s a privilege to have worked with both boxers.

“If Jermaine keeps on boxing the way he did on Saturday then I have no doubt that he can go on to win a British title, and then go even further. He’s an exceptional talent.”