Islington Boxing Club’s George Bartlett

IT was seconds out for Islington Boxing Club at the weekend as not one, but two of their boxers conquered the capital.

Super-heavyweight Odera Okwuosa and light-flyweight “Gorgeous” George Bartlett were both crowned London Development champions at the regional finals, which were held at the Dagenham Roundhouse in east London on Sunday.

Competing in the Under-48kg junior ­division, Bartlett stepped between the ropes to take on Harvey Lydon from Fight Knights Boxing Club.

The orthodox boxer switched to southpaw in search of a tactical advantage, and it worked wonders as Bartlett won what Islington club ­manager Reggie Hagland called “an untidy bout” via a unanimous decision.

Odera Okwuosa

The 15-year-old has, however, declined the opportunity to now fight in the National Championship as he prepares to take a break from the ring. Hagland explained: “George is in his final year at school and needs to focus on his exams.”

Clubmate Okwuosa, who was boxing in the 91+kg senior Class B division, was up against it in his bout against the more experienced and much-fancied Simon Ibekwe from White Hart Lane Boxing Academy.

Fought over three three-minute rounds, it proved a close contest with the Islington man eventually being awarded the win courtesy of a 4-1 split decision.

Okwuosa will not progress to the National quarter-finals, which take place in Southampton on Saturday, October 12.

Islington BC, which is based in Hazellville Road, Upper Holloway, could yet unveil more capital champions.

Emma Fitzgerald (Under-57kg Class A division) and Sunni Torgman (Under-60kg Class B division) will be boxing in the London Championships tomorrow (Saturday) at White Hart Lane Boxing Academy.